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GENERAL ALEXANDER HAYS 



'He dared to had where others dared to follow 



UNDER THE RED PATCH 



STORY OF 



Xhe Sixty i nird Regiment 

PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS 



1861-1864 



No grander Corps of the Army Kraiid 

Than the Old Third, famed throughout the land; 

No better Division the diamond wore. 

Than Divi.sion First of that noble Corps: 

No braver soldiers, living or dead, 

Than those whom Hays and Kearney led. 



Compiled \w GILBERT ADAMS HAYS 

With Personal Narrative by WILLIAM H. MORROW, Company A. 



PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 

Published by 

Sixty-tnira Pennsylvania Volunteers Regimental Association 

1908 



M 



LIBRARY of OGNGRESS 
I wo Conies t1e«;ei<t»c> 

OCT 6 l^^tt 

[ gOHV a. 



Copyrighted by Gilbert Adams Hays, 

1908. 

All rights reserved. 



0^ 



03 



9 a. °t ^ 



PRESS OF 

MARKET REVIEW PfliLISHINO CO. 

PITTSBVRG, PA. 



TO 

±ne Sacred J\Lemory of the Sainted Uead 

of the 

Gallant Sixty-tnird 



Who sealed their devotion to our glorious flag with their loyal blood 
on many ensanguined battle-fields; of those who have since 
passed to their reward on "Fame's Eternal Camping 
Ground;" to the surviving members and to the wives, 
sons, daughters and descendants of that immortal 
band, this record of the brilliant achieve- 
ments of the regiment is 

Reverently and Affectionately Ueaicatea 



Comrades known by faith the clearest, 
Tried when death was near and nearest. 

Brothers evermore to be. 
And if spared and growing older 
Shoulder still in line with shoulder. 
And with hearts no thrill the colder 

Brothers ever shall we be. 

By communion of the banner, — 
Crimson, white and starry banner, — 
By the baptism of the banner, 

Children of one Church are we. 
Creed nor faction can divide us, 
Race nor language can divide us; 
Still whatever fate betide us, 

Children of the Flag are we. 



-Charles G. Halpine. 



1 able of Contents 



Part First 



CHAPTER I. 

Bombardment of Fort Sumter — President Lincoln's Call for Troops — 
First Battle Bull Run — Organization of the Sixty-third- — Camp 
Wilkins — Departure for the Front — Arrival at the National 
Capitol — Camp Hays — A Day in Camp. 

CHAPTER H. 

Camp Shields — Camp Johnston, alias Camp Pennyroyal — Deserter 
Drummed Out of Service — Military Execution — Picket Duty — 
Pohick Church — Flag Presentation. 

CHAPTER HI. 

Embarkation for the Peninsula — At Fortress Monroe — Incidents of 
Camp Life — In Front of Yorktow^n — A Field Hospital — The 
Intrenchments — Evacuation of Yorktow^n— Official Report of 
Siege of Yorktown — Peach Orchard and Wyhn's Mill. 

CHAPTER IV. 
Battle of Williamsburg — Camp Sassafras — Battle of Fair Oaks. 

CHAPTER V. 

Battle of Gaines Mill — Evacuation of Savage Station and Destruc- 
tion of Supplies — Battle of Frazier's Farm or C.lendale — Battle 
of Malvern Hill. 



G TABLE OF CONTENTS 

CHAPTER VI. 

At Harrison's Landing — Fourth of July in Camp — In Retreat — Sec- 
ond Battle of Bull Run — Poolsville and Conrad's Ferry — 
Fording the Potomac — Burnside in Command of the Army 
— Battle of Fredericksburg — Burnside's Mud March. 

CHAPTER VH. 
In Winter Quarters — Origin of Corps Badges — Holidays in Camp — 
An April Fool Joke — Grand Review by President Lincoln — Bat- 
tles of the Cedars and Chancellorsville. 

CHAPTER Vni. 

Camp Sickles — Annie Etheridge — The Kearney Cross — The March to 
Gettysburg. 

CHAPTER IX. 
The Battle of Gettysburg. 

CHAPTER X. 
The Return from Gettysburg — Battle of Wapping Heights — Sulphur 
Springs. 

CHAPTER XI. 

March to Culpepper — The Third Corps Union — Centerville and 
Brandy Station — Battles of Auburn, Kelly's Ford, Locust Grove 
and Mine Run. 

CHAPTER XII. 

Camp at Brandy Station — Third Corps Ball — Grant in Command — 
Re-organization of the Army — Disbandment of Third Corps 
— Return of General Hays — ^General Hays' Letter to Governor 
Curtin. 

CHAPTER XIII. 
Battle of the Wilderness — Death of General Hays — ^Battles of Todd's 
Tavern and Po River. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Battle of Spottsylvania — At the Death Angle — Battle of Fredericks- 
burg Pike — ^Capture of Confederate Soldiers — Charge at Taylor's 
Bridge on 'the North Anna. 

CHAPTER XV. 
Battle of Cold Harbor — March to Petersburg — In the Trenches. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 7 

CHAPTER XVI. 
Siege of Petersburg — Deep Bottom — The Mine. 

CHAPTER XVn. 

In the Trenches at Petersburg — Second Deep Bottom — Bloodless Duel 
in the Corn Patch — Music in Camp. 

CHAPTER XVni. 

Expiration of Term of Service — Consolidation with One Hundred 
and Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers — Return of the Shattei'ed 
Columns. 



Part Second 

Roster and History of Companies — Muster Rolls of Veteran Volun- 
teers and Drafted Men — Titles of Companies Previous to Mus- 
ter-In — Record of Interments in National Cemeteries. 



Part Third 

Letters from the Front — Biographies of General Alexander Hays, 
Colonels A. S. M. Morgan, William S. Kirkwood, John A. Danks, 
Major James F. Ryan, Chaplain Junius J. Marks, Captains 
Bernard J. Reid, Robert H. Millar — The Twelfth Regiment — 
Regimental Reunions — Dedication of Monuments at Gettysburg, 
and to General Hays at Pittsburg and Wilderness — Music, 
"Bully for You," and "The Bully Old Sixty-third." 



Fo 



r e Av o r 



TO" EARLY half a century has elapsed since the Sixty-third 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, was mus- 
tered into the military service of the United States, under the 
call of President Lincoln for soldiers to aid in suppressing the 
rebellion, which at that time threatened the perpetuity of the 
Federal Union, yet up to the present time no detailed record 
of the achievements of that famous command has been pub- 
lished in permanent form. 

At the first annual reunion of the survivors of the Regiment 
held in Pittsburgh in November, 1879, a permanent organiza- 
tion was effected under the title of "The Sixty-third Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers' Regimental Association," and steps taken 
to perpetuate the record of the Regiment by appointing 
Robert H. Millar, of Company E, Historian and Secretary. 
After much labor and research, a history was prepared which 
would have proved an invaluable contribution to the literature 
of the Civil War period, but the Great Commander called the 
writer before the manuscript was placed in the hands of the 
printer, and with his death, in 1899, every vestige of this 
material, collected from a variety of authentic sources, disap- 
peared and was never recovered, an almost irreparable loss to 
the regiment. 

At the reunion following Comrade Millar's death, Gilbert A. 
Hays, son of our beloved commander, was chosen Regimental 
Historian and Secretary of the organization, and the seem- 
ingly hopeless task of compiling the history was, with many 



FOREWORD 9 

misgiving's, agcun taken u]), and persevoringiy and ])aticntly 
brought to a finisli in this xolnme. a labor of love and duty. 

In 1900 William ]1. .Morrow, a member of Companv A, 
prepared and published in weekly installments in the "Wil- 
merding- Xews," an interesting- series of personal reminis- 
cences of army life in the Sixty-third, under the title of 
"History of a hamous Regiment, from the Stand])oint of a 
Pri\-ate Soldier," but was compelled by circumstances to 
greatly curtail the details of the history, and tinally discon- 
tinue the publication before its completion. These sketches 
form the basis of the earlier chapters of the present volume. 

It is natural that in the long lapse of years since the stirring 
events here recorded took place, the loss of valuable data and 
death of many comrades, errors shotild appear in this history, 
althotigh every effort has been made to verify each record and 
statement. 

The Committee wish to acknowledge the \aluable services 
of Colonel Edwin Tj. Houghton. Historian of his Regiment, 
the Seventeenth Maine, in the hnal preparation of this history 
for publication. 

Sewickley, I'a., April, 1908. 

DAVID SHIELDS, 
ANDREW G. WILLIAMS, 

Historical Committee. 
GILRERT A. HAYS, Secretary. 



Across the years full rounded past two score 

Since Peace, advancing with her olive wand. 
Restored the sunshine to our desolate land 

Come thronging back the memories of the War; 

Again the drums beat and the cannons roar 

And patriot fires by every breeze are fanned. 
And pulses quicken with a purpose grand 

As manhood's forces swell to larger store, 

Again the camp, the field, the march, the strife. 
The joy of victory, the bitter pain 

Of wounds or sore defeat; the anguish rife 

In tears that fall for the unnumbered slain, 

And homes where darkened is the light of life; 
All these the echoing bugle brings again. 

— Bugle Echoes. 



STORY 

OF THE 

Sixty-tnira Pennsylvania Volunteers 

CHAPTER I. 

(From April 12, 1861, to September 12, 1S61.) 



Bombardment of Fort Sumter— President Lincoln's Call for 
Troops— First Battle of Bull Run— Organization of Sixty- 
third— Camp Wilkins— Departure for the Front— Arrival at 
THE National Capitol— Camp Hays -A Day in Camp— Church 
Services. 



Enough of speech! the trumpet rings! 

A nation calls to arm! 
God help them when the tempest swings 

The pine against the palm! 

No more words; 

Try it with your swords! 
Try it with the arms of your bravest and your best! 
You are proud of your manhood, now put it to the test; 

Xot another word; 

Try it by the sword! 

No more notes! 

Try it by the throats 
Of the cannons that will roar till the earth and air be shaken, 
For they speak what they mean, and they cannot be mistaken! 

No more doubt; 

Come- — fight it out! 

You that in the front 

Bear the battles' brunt — 
When the sun gleams at dawn on the bayonets abreast, 
Remember 'tis for government and country you contest; 

For love of all you guard. 

Stand and strike hard! 

— Franklin Lushinglon. 

N APRIL, i86i, when the hissing shriek of one shell across 
the Southern bay, from Charleston to Fort Sumter, lighted 
the fires of a four years' hell in a happy land of God-fearing 



I 



12 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

peace and God-given plenty, and the hissing shriek of another 
shell that Major Anderson, the noble, loyal Kentuckian, hurled 
back in heroic defense of the flag, "struck for the first time 
then, by other than an alien hand," the patriotism of the law- 
abiding and union-loving people of the North was fully 
aroused. 

It was a mild spring morning and nature gave no sign of 
the dread event so near at hand. The deep thunder of the can- 
non shot awoke the morning echoes and rolled away over the 
trembling waters of Charleston Harbor. At that moment the 
great clock of Destiny struck its warning note. No single 
cannon shot before ever bore such tremendous import on its 
flight. The mightiest monarch on earth shivered. The march 
of civilization was arrested, and the history of man was 
changed. Deep silence followed for a few moments as if all 
nature had paused aghast at the awful deed. 

The reverberations of that shot sent a shudder quivering 
from hill top to hill top, from the pine-covered forests of 
]\Iaine to the orange groves of Florida, from the rock-bound 
coast of the stormy Atlantic to the glittering sands of the 
peaceful Pacific, and the echoes of that shot, heard by millions 
of people, brought terror and dismay to every village in our 
land, and was but the first peal of thunder which announced 
the beginning of the mighty tempest soon to sweep our con- 
tinent from shore to shore, and deluge our soil with fraternal 
blood. 

The ver}' next day after the surrender. President Lincoln 
issued a proclamation calling for 75,000 volunteers for three 
months, to protect the capitol and prevent the property of the 
Nation from being seized by the so-called Confederate 
government. This caused a general waking up everywhere. 
Enthusiastic meetings were held in every town and village, 
and had the call been for ten times 75,000, it would have been 
filled. 

About this time a wave of patriotism struck our country 
which showed itself in the display of flags. Every house, large 
and small, displayed the Stars and Stripes from all parts, and 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 13 

the more flags displayed, the greater seemed the loyalty of the 
resident. Another form of patriotism became very prominent. 
There was a great hatred for everyone who did not throw up 
their hats and shout aloud for the Union, and many threats 
were daily heard of hanging certain persons who were sup- 
posed to be lukewarm toward the government. But strange 
to say, when later on these same patriots had an opportunity 
to go to the front and show their zeal for the cause they pro- 
fessed to love so dearly, they remained by their peaceful fire- 
sides, but continued to shout for the old flag and wonder why 
the army did not move on Richmond, and crush the unholy 
rebellion. 

Suddenly on Monday morning, July 22nd, 1861, the loyal 
North was completely stunned by the announcement that 
General McDowell, with his forces, had been thoroughly whip- 
ped by the Rebel army under Beauregard at Bull Run, and his 
army a flying mass of fugitives. The news of this terrible and 
unexpected disaster caused every cheek to turn pale and sent 
a shudder through the entire North. Then we all knew that 
this was the time to show our patriotism by actions as well as 
words. In the meantime, a call had been made for men to 
serve for three years, or until the close of the war, and on 
every hand the response was instant. In all the quiet hamlets 
of our land, where nothing had been known save the peaceful 
sounds of home industry, now was heard the rattling of drums 
and the shrill notes of the flfe. Wives, mothers, sisters and 
hoary-headed fathers wept as they pressed the hands of 
departing husbands, sons and brothers who were hurriedly 
leaving to ofifer upon the altar of their country their service 
and their lives. In whatever direction the eyes were cast long 
lines of boys in blue were seen hastening to the front, many of 
whom would never revisit the old homes again, but in some 
nameless grave in some far off southern battlefield would 

^^^^P- "The soldier's sleep 

That knows no waking." 

We at once began organizing a company at Braddock, after- 
wards Company A, to go to the front for three years. A man 



14 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

named J. ]\I. C. Berringcr, of W'hite Ash, who claimed to have 
served twenty years in the regular army, became candidate for 
captain, and on account of his past experience we all agreed 
he was the man for the position, and unanimously elected him 
William Smith, of Braddock, familiarly known to the boys as 
"Billy," a most excellent and brave man, was elected First 
Lieutenant, and W. N. Haymaker, of Murrysville, Second 
Lieutenant. Of these officers. Captain Berringer was dis- 
missed from the service ; Lieutenant Smith was killed in the 
Battle of Chancellorsville ; Lieutenant Haymaker became regi- 
mental quartermaster, which position he faithfully filled, and 
was wounded at Fair Oaks. 

Before our Company was filled to its full complement we 
went to Pittsburgh and were placed in Camp AX'ilkins, near 
Twenty-eighth Street. This had been the old Allegheny 
County fair grounds, and was well adapted for a barracks, as 
it contained a large number of buildings that were convenient 
as a shelter for the portion of regiments not yet filled. There 
were a number of these fragments in camp and the officers 
w^ere busily engaged in recruiting, the recruits being sent to 
Camp Wilkins as rapidly as secured. A part of the 102nd 
r. V. was there under command of Colonel Thomas Rowley. 
This had been the Thirteenth Pennsylvania during the three 
months' service and the boys insisted strongly upon retaining 
the old number, but were refused. There was also a cavalry 
company in camp calling themselves the Vierheller Cavalry, in 
honor of a German named Vierheller, who kept a hotel in 
Pittsburgh. 

There were portions of many other companies in the camp, 
all anxious t6 start for the front. It was about the end of 
July when we went into camp, and were sworn into the service 
of the United States on August ist. Our life in this place was 
very monotonous and we were all heartily sick of it. The only 
amusement we had to relieve the tedium of camp life was 
slipping past the guard and going to Trimble's varieties, a 
vaudeville theater on Penn Avenue, which we often did and 
which frequently resulted in the punishment of being com- 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 15 

pelled to carry water for the cooks the next day. Every day 
we hoped to be sent forward, but were compelled to remain 
in this miserable place until Monday morning', August 26th, 
when we were electrified by being told that we would leave 
that day for \\^ashington City. 

There were two full companies of our regiment in Camp 
Wilkins: Company A, Captain Berringer, and Company B, 
Captain W. S. Kirkwood, and several squads. Alexander Hays 
was our colonel. He had served as major of the Twelfth Regi- 
ment in the three months' service, was a graduate of West 
Point, and had served with distinction in the Mexican war. 

The following is the official order from the War Department 
assigning Colonel Hays to the command of all troops then 
quartered at Camp Wilkins : 

Headquarters Sixth Cavalry, 
Camp Scctt, near Pittsburgh, 
ORDER. August 25, 1861. 

I. Captain Alex. Hays, Sixteenth Infantry, U. S. Army, having 
been appointed Colonel of Volunteers, he is hereby assigned, with his 
full rank as Colonel of Volunteers, to command of all the troops at 
Camp Wilkins, and he will be obeyed and respected accordingly. 

II. He will push forward, with utmost rapidity, the organization 
of companies, and as each company is mustered into service, he will 
despatch it promptly to Washington to report to the Adjutant Gen- 
eral of the Army. When the tenth company of his own regiment 
is mustered into service he will repair with it to join his regiment. 

III. A. Q. M. Ekin will provide transportation for all troops 
Colonel Hays may send forward. 

By order of the Secretary of War, 

W. H. SIMONS, 
Lt. Col. 6th Cav.. U. S. Army. 
Approved, 

L. THOMAS, Adjt. Gen'l. 
September 27, 1861. 

A. S. M. Morgan was lieutenant-colonel, Maurice Wallace 
major, George P. Corts adjutant, and James M. Lysle quarter- 
ma.ster. Of these field and staff officers. Colonel Hays was pro- 
moted to Brigadier General in September, 1862, and was killed 
in the Battle of the Wilderness, May 5, 1864; Lieutenant-Col- 



16 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

onel IMorgan was wounded at the Battle of Fair Oaks, May 31, 
1862, and resigned; Major Wallace resigned and came home 
in June, 1862 ; Adjutant Corts died after the war closed from 
wounds received in battle ; Quartermaster Lysle was killed 
near Pohick Church, Va., March 5, 1862. 

When we were notified that we were to leave on that even- 
ing, many of the men living near by were permitted to return 
home and bid farewell to their families. It was a sad parting, 
as no one knew he would ever again see those who were near 
and dear to him. By noon all had returned to camp and were 
ready for their long journey. A train of empty cars was run 
out on Liberty Street, and about 4 o'clock we formed in line, 
and with the drum and fife band playing the "Girl I Left 
Behind Me," left Camp W'ilkins and marched down street to 
embark. The street was crowded with spectators who cheered 
us as we passed along. The war was new then and the citizens 
were full of enthusiasm and were all ready and willing to give 
the soldier boys a hearty send off. We were certainly a 
motley crowd, as we had not yet received uniforms and were 
told we would receive them at Harrisburg. We all wore our 
poorest clothing, expecting to throw them away when Uncle 
Sam would present us with "hand-me-down" suits, but in this 
we were badly fooled, as we did not receive our army clothing 
until well on in September, and by that time we were some- 
what in the condition of Falstaff's soldiers, who were so dis- 
reputable that he refused to march them through Coventry. 
We had not been supplied with arms yet, but most of the men 
had provided themselves with revolvers, having heard how the 
Sixth Massachusetts had been treated at Baltimore, and we 
were anxious to have something to protect ourselves with in 
the hot bed of secession. 

When we arrived at the train we speedily embarked and 
then occurred a most touching scene. Fathers, mothers, 
wives, children, brothers, sisters and other friends were lined 
up on each side to bid the last farewell to their loved ones. 
Here an aged father stretched a trembling hand to grasp that 
of a dear son, while he supported the v/eeping mother with 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 17 

the other arm, or a wife, with tears streaming down her pale 
face, held up a laughing, unconscious baby to give the depart- 
ing father one more farewell kiss. Sisters, with tear-dimmed 
eyes, were bidding a fond adieu to loved brothers, while 
brothers, with husky voices, were bidding good-bye to broth- 
ers, and here and there blushing maidens were saying farewell 
to lovers, striving hard, but unavailingly, to keep back their 
tears. It was a scene no one cares to look upon a second time. 
As the train pulled out we all turned to take one last look at 
the familiar scenes, and as we gazed at the surroundings, 
bathed in the mellow light of the setting sun, many realized 
that they would never behold the same again. Many a hearty 
cheer, and many a God speed were wafted to the boys, and 
the sad and weeping friends moved off to their homes, feeling 
that there was a vacant chair at the fireside that perhaps 
would never again be filled by the absent one. As we passed 
East Liberty, Wilkinsburg and Braddock, vast crowds were at 
the stations greeting us with loud cheers. During the night 
the water in the car tanks was exhausted, and as soon as it 
was known, the men suddenly became extremely thirsty, and 
did some vehement swearing and complaining. While the 
train lay on a siding near Huntingdon a poor fellow of Com- 
pany G got out and while standing on another track was 
instantly killed by a passing fast train, and this threw a 
damper over all. Later on, after we had become inured to 
death, such a thing would not have caused a ripple of feeling 
but we had not yet grown hardened to such scenes. 

Just as the sun was climbing the Eastern horizon, we pulled 
into Harrisburg and were glad of the permission to stretch 
our cramped and tired muscles by disembarking. The boys 
Avere hungry as well as tired, and nothing was in sight that 
would appease their hunger. Those possessed of any money 
hurried off to satisfy their wants, and here the Harrisburg 
people showed their peculiar custom of that time in charging 
most inordinate prices for everything in the eating line. We 
had been told that when we got to Harrisburg we would 
receive uniforms, but soon discovered that it was a mistake. 



18 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

About noon we were marched aboard a train consisting of 
cattle cars, to be taken to Baltimore by the Northern Central 
Railroad. A most laughable incident occurred at this place. 
Governor Andrew G. Curtin came down to see the boys after 
they had embarked ; the soldiers were very indignant at being 
placed in cattle cars, and when they saw the Governor, they 
set up an excellent imitation of the voices of the usual occu- 
pants of these cars. Such a braying like mules, bellowing 
like cattle, bleating like sheep, and even squealing like swine 
probably never before greeted the ears of the old war gover- 
nor. He stopped, gazed at the cars, then wheeled and strode 
away in a most indignant manner. 

As soon as the train started on its way to Baltimore, every 
one who possessed a knife began to get his work in on the 
cars and it was not long before they presented a unique appear- 
ance, the sides being almost cut away by the boys having 
made windows in them. The ofificers tried to stop what they 
called vandalism, but the boys had not yet learned to fear the 
officers and paid little or no attention to their orders, and by 
the time we reached Baltimore, the cars presented the appear- 
ance of huge chicken coops. The government, of course, had 
to pay the railroad company for the mutilation of the cars, 
but the soldiers did not let that trouble their consciences any. 

It was a dreary ride from Harrisburg to Baltimore, the day 
was dark and gloom}^ with frequent showers, and the boys 
were tired and hungry and in a bad humor. The train crept 
along at a snail's pace with a number of long stops. About 9 
o'clock at night we pulled into Baltimore and disembarked. 
Besides Companies A and B, there were portions of other com- 
panies of our regiment, also fragments 'of several other regi- 
ments, making a body of about one thousand men in all. We 
left the cars, formed in line, and escorted by a large body of 
policemen, we marched through the city from the Susque- 
hanna depot to the Washington depot. Thousands of citizens 
were out on the streets watching us pass along, in some 
places we were loudly cheered, and in other places all kinds 
of opprobious epithets were hurled at us. The women in par- 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 19 

ticular were very bitter. The secesh element was still glory- 
ing over the defeat of McDowell's army at Bull Run, and the 
women took especial pains to throw it up to us. "Are you 
going to Bull Run?" was a question asked us repeatedly. 
Our officers had carefully enjoined the men to say nothing 
back, no matter what was said to us while marching through 
the city, as we were unarmed and would be at the mercy of 
the mob should there be a riot, but human nature could not 
endure all these taunts and some of the boys answered the 
ladies (?) in a way more forcible than polite. We heard some 
vicious curses from the knots of men stationed on street 

corners as to what should be done to "the d d mud sills," 

and it only required a spark to cause a terrible explosion, but 
fortunately, nothing worse than insults were ofifered us and 
we reached the Washington depot where we were hurried on 
board a train awaiting us. Some of us slipped past the guard 
and took a stroll through the city, but owing to the unfriendly 
feelings of the Baltimorians, we did not go far from the rest of 
the boys. The station was soon crowded with women, black 
and white, each with a basket containing pies and cakes, and 
those of the soldiers who had money procured enough for a 
pretty full meal. For some reason, our train did not leave the 
Washington depot during the night, and we were compelled 
to huddle in the cars until morning. Guards were placed at 
car doors to prevent anyone from going out and indulging in 
their wanderings during the night, and we lay like sheep in a 
pen with no little profanity and grumbling on the part of the 
boys. 

With daylight the train pulled out and we started for 
Washington. It was not long until the buildings of the 
Capitol came in sight, and all were eager to get out and 
behold the city of magnificent distances. When the train 
stopped we were marched to the Soldiers' Home where we 
were fed, our breakfast consisting of coflFee, mess beef and 
hard tack, but as we were very hungry, the m.eal was very 
palatable. 

We remained around the Home until about 12 o'clock, when 



20 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

we were formed in line and marched out of town about half 
a mile into a grove of pines, and were told that was to be our 
camp. This camp was known as Camp Sprague. It began to 
rain ere we reached the place, and as no tents had been pro- 
vided, it soon became a very disagreeable spot. The boys cut 
down bushes and arranged them in the form of wigwams, over 
which they placed their blankets, and took refuge under these 
improvised shelters. In a short time the blankets became 
soaking wet, and the water ran in streams over the occupants. 
About 5 o'clock in the evening a lot of tents arrived and were 
soon put up, but the ground was soaked and our blankets 
being in the same condition, we spent a very disagreeable 
night. Some of the more enterprising secured a few boards 
from a garden some distance from camp, and made good floors 
in their tents. Others, seeing our good luck, started out on a 
hunt for boards, but were ignominiously put to flight by the 
patrol guard. The next morning was warm and pleasant, and 
we forgot our discomforts. A public road ran alongside of 
our camp, and as the boys were ragged to picturesqueness, it 
was funny to see them when carriages containing fine ladies 
and gentlemen from the city drove by, dive into the bushes 
to hide themselves. 

We remained in Camp Sprague eleven days during which 
time we did considerable sight-seeing about Washington, and 
made several narrow escapes from being taken up by the 
patrol. However, in Company A there was one complete suit 
of citizen's clothes, one had a coat, another a vest, a third a hat, 
etc., so that it was always loaned out that one of the boys 
could don it and run around town without danger of the patrol 
arresting him. 

On Thursday, September 5th, we were marched down to 
the arsenal and given our guns. The Sunday following. Lieu- 
tenant Smith and several of the boys visited Tennallytown, 
where the Eighth Reserves were stationed, a number of Brad- 
dock boys being members of that regiment. It was a long 
walk and very hot, yet it was a very interesting sight to see 
how the country was filled up with camps. On every side, 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 21 

soldiers from all the Northern States were occupying the land, 
and the canvas cities spread out for miles. Cavalry, infantry 
and artillery were gathered in immense numbers preparing 
for the mighty struggle before them. We received a hearty 
welcome from our Braddock friends who did all in their power 
to make us enjoy ourselves. We remained with them until 
evening, and then started back for our camp. It was dark 
before we reached the place, and upon arriving there we found 
that our regiment had disappeared. Going to a Rhode Island 
Regiment that lay near, we enquired if they knew what had 
become of the Sixty-third. They told us that they had moved 
during the day, but did not know where. We visited several 
other camps but received no information, and it was evident 
we were lost in the army. This may seem a very silly expres- 
sion, yet it is a serious thing, as anyone who has had the fate 
to be lost in the army will bear out. We went from one regi- 
ment to another, but could not learn where our regiment had 
gone. About i o'clock we met a man, and on repeating our 
question, he said that he thought they had changed places 
with the Sixty-second, telling us where that was, and upon 
our going to the place described, sure enough we found them. 
Shortly after we had left in the morning, they had received 
orders to move. 

This camp was known as Camp Hays and we remained here 
for the next twenty days. In the meantime, recruiting had 
been continued in Pittsburg, and recruits kept arriving almost 
daily, and during the month of September the regiment had 
swelled to over looo men. 

The Companies comprising the Sixty-third were as follow? 
Company A, recruited largely at Braddock and in the Turtle 
Creek Valley, Captain Berringer, who was dismissed in July, 
1862; William Smith, next, killed at Chancellorsville ; W. P. 
Hunker, next. 

Company B, recruited mostly about Sharpsburg and Pitts- 
burg, Captain W. S. Kirkwood, afterward promoted to Col- 
onel, died from wounds received at Chancellorsville. Robert 



22 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

A. Nesbit was promoted to Captain and brought the Company 
home. 

Company C, recruited at New Brighton, Captain J. C. 
Hanna, who resigned and came home June 15, 1862. Charles 
Taylor was the next Captain, and was dismissed July, 1862, 
Wash Gray was next ; he resigned November 10, 1862. George 
Weaver next ; he came home with the Company at the end ot 
the service. 

Company D recruited in Allegheny County, Captain Harry 
Ormsbee, resigned March, 1862. Ben F. Dunham next, dis- 
missed July 26, 1862. W. J. Thompson next, killed at Chancel- 
lorsville. G. E. Gross next, came home with the Company. 

Company E, recruited about Etna and Sharpsburg, Captain 
John A. Danks, promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. John Mc- 
Clelland next, came home at end of term. 

Company F, recruited in Clarion County, Captain B. J. 
Reid, resigned August, 1862. George W. McCullough next, 
promoted to Major, killed in Wilderness. David Shields next, 
wounded at Morton's Ford, Va., February 6, 1864, discharged 
June 9, 1864. 

Company G, recruited mostly in Venango and Armstrong 
Counties, Captain Charles W. McHenry, resigned November, 
1862. Isaac Moorehead next, killed at Petersburg June 18, 
1864. 

Company H, recruited at Pittsburgh, Captain C. B. McCul- 
lough, resigned December, 1861. William Keenan next, 
resigned April, 1862. H. B. Fulton next, killed at Fredericks- 
burg. William H. Jeffries, resigned May, 1863. Daniel 
Daugherty, killed at North A.nna River May 23, 1864. 

Company I, recruited at McKeesport, Captain James F. 
Ryan, promoted to Major. William C. Mcintosh next, served 
to end of term. 

Company K, recruited in Allegheny County, Captain Charles 
W. Chapman, killed near Pohick Church, March 5, 1862. W. 
H. Brown next, died May, 1862. Theodore Bageley, wounded, 
with loss of arm, at Glendale, Va., June, 30, resigned Decem- 
ber, 1862. George B. Chalmers next, served to end of term. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 23 

The regiment was now about filled up, and regular duty 
began, the boys having to settle down to the routine work of 
soldiers in camp. No doubt many of our younger generation 
think that while the soldiers were in camp they had a kind of 
picnic. Of course, while fighting or marching, they know the 
boys had many dangers and hardships, but while not engaged 
in these they imagine the men had nothing to do but loaf 
around, play cards, skylark, and have a general good time 
An examination of a soldier's day's work in camp might dis- 
abuse the minds of some of these people of this idea, and we 
give a description of the same while the army was in quarters : 

At 6 o'clock in the morning, the bugle at headquarters 
sounded the reveille, and a few minutes after, the martial 
bands of all the regiments would be playing that well-known 
call, making the air vibrate with the thunder of their drums, 
bringing the tired and sleepy boys out of their little tents to 
form in line in the Company streets, while the orderly sergeant 
would call the roll, each man answering to his name. 

At 7 o'clock, the breakfast call would be sounded, when the 
boys, each one carrying his tin cup and tin plate, would go to 
the cook house of his Company and have his tin filled with 
strong, black cofTee, and receive a chunk of mess beef which, 
for some unknown reason, the boys denominated *'sea horse," 
and two or three hard tack. Those who possessed money 
could buy butter from the sutler, put up in pound cans, and 
which had an odor that would turn the stomach of any but a 
hungry soldier. 

Soon as breakfast was over, guns were cleaned and scoured, 
quarters put in order, and everything properly policed about 
the tents. 

Guard mounting began at 8 o'clock. Each company fur- 
nished a certain number of men daily for this duty. These 
details were marched to the color line, and with martial band 
at their head, paraded to brigade headquarters where the 
details from all the regiments in the brigade were formed into 
line and inspected by the oflficers of the guard. Each one was 
required to have his gun clean and bright, all buttons and 



24 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

brasses shining, shoes blackened and polished, and clothing 
brushed. If any unfortunate had neglected to clean his gun 
properly, or his accoutrements were not in good order, he was 
sent to the guard house to perform some extra duty as a 
penalty. The squads were then marched back to their respec- 
tive regiments, where the men were assigned to their several 
posts of duty, such as guarding camp, headquarters, commis- 
sary stores, etc. 

At 9 o'clock the different companies (if the weather was 
not too bad) were marched to some neighboring field and 
drilled in the manual of arms and various company maneuvers. 
This generally lasted until 12 o'clock, when they were marched 
back to camp and had dinner which consisted of a tin full of 
bean soup, crackers, and a small piece of meat, mostly fresh 
beef. The men rested until half past one when, at the call of 
the bugle, the camp was again a scene of bustle and confus- 
ion. The men strapped on their knapsacks, cleaned and pre- 
pared for regimental or brigade drill. 

At 2 o'clock, with a band playing at the head of each regi- 
ment, they would march to the field and for hours wovdd 
practice those movements and evolutions which enable a large 
body of men to agt in concert like a piece of machinery. 

At 4 o'clock they would return to camp and after a short 
rest would prepare for dress parade. This was one of the 
most beautiful and imposing of all military ceremonials. The 
regiment dressed in its best, with everything as bright as it 
could be made, the men fell into line by companies and in a 
few minutes a line of 1,000 men stood silent and immovable 
like statues. The band, standing on the right of the line, led 
by the drum major with his big brass-headed stafif, struck up 
a slow and solemn air and marched down the front of the line 
to the extreme end, then wheeled, and changing the air to a 
lively one, returned briskly to their position at the head again. 
About 100 feet in front of the center of the line the Colonel 
took his position. At a command from the Adjutant, the 
orderly sergeants of the companies advanced to the front and 
center, and saluting, gave their report of the officers and men 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 25 

present and absent. After the orderlies had returned to their 
position, the Adjutant read any orders that related to matters 
concerning the service. The commissioned officers then 
advanced in line to front center and saluted the Colonel, who 
acknowledged it, and parade was dismissed. The soldiers now 
free from the burdens of the day, were like boys dismissed 
from school, and for awhile the camp resounded with their 
whoops and yells. 

At half past eight the martial band, taking a position near 
the center of the camp, played the tattoo and the evening roll 
was again called in the company street. 

At 9 o'clock three taps were given on a drum and then all 
lights were put out in quarters and no loud talking or other 
noise was permitted, and in a few minutes the camp, which 
had been so noisy, settled down to a death-like stillness. 

This was the regular routine of every day's camp life, so it 
can be seen that it was not a life of quiet and ease. Of course, 
when the weather was rainy or tempestuous, the drills were 
omitted and the boys put in their time in reading, mending 
their clothes, or visiting each other in their tents. 

About September i, 1861, Dr. Marks began his services as 
Chaplain of the Regiment, administering alike to the spiritual 
and bodily wants of the men, in a manner that endeared him 
to every one in the regiment. In his "Peninsular Campaigns" 
Dr. Marks describes his experience: "My first care was to 
distribute testaments and hymn books among the men. With 
these some had been supplied before leaving home. The first 
week I appeared in camp I distributed to those who came to 
my tent, 400 copies of the New Testament in four different 
languages, English, German, French and Italian, and during 
the same week, 600 small hymn books called the "Soldier's 
Hymn-Book," drawing my supplies from the American Tract 
Societies of New York and Boston. From more than 100 
tents the evening hymn ascended to heaven, and these sacred 
songs were sung with an emotion hitherto unknown for tliey 
reminded them of home, and dear friends, and brought back 
afresh the most solemn and impressive scenes in their lives. 



26 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

My custom was to have two public services on the Sabbath. 
These were held in the open ground of the camp, and were 
well attended by men and officers. 

Very soon I found it essential to find a tent for public wor- 
ship, and one was obtained that had done several year's duty 
in camp-meeting service. This the strong winds of October 
blew to pieces, and we were for several weeks without any 
covering or shelter. Until the first of December we held our 
meetings in a large guard house which had been reared, but 
this we found very unsuitable and smoky. 

We made arrangements to start in camp various classes for 
mutual instruction, two in the Latin language, one in the 
study of German, one in arithmetic, and most important of all, 
a debating society. In order to carry successfully into execu- 
tion all these plans for improvement, I wrote to friends in 
Pittsburgh for the means to purchase a tent for public wor- 
ship, and such assemblies as would conduce to the benefit of 
the regiment. Most generously, and without the delay of an 
hour, they responded, authorizing the purchase of a tent. 
The very day the letter was received, a large tent was offered 
for sale in a neighboring camp, which was immediately pur- 
chased, and before night we had it pitched, a floor laid, and 
stove placed in it. We met first in this tent about January 
1st, on a Sabbath morning, with a large congregation, some 
seated on camp stools, some on rude benches, some on the 
floor, and many standing at the entrance of the tent. The 
interest of the occasion was greatly increased by the presence 
of Mrs. Hays, the Colonel's wife, then on a visit in camp to 
her husband, Mrs. Jameson, the General's wife, matrons and 
hospital nurses. The season was one of the greatest interest 
and pleasure. It was the bursting of sunshine through the 
darkness that had hung over us like a pall ; it reminded us 
of home; it was almost a church. Many eyes swam in tears, 
and many voices choked with emotion as we sang. During 
these months hundreds in the camp found the highest joy in 
religious meetings, and with ever new pleasure, they came 
togther to hear the gospel. It was a season never to be for- 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 27 

gotten. Many were brought to the saving grace of Jesus, and 
for weeks my tent was crowded at the meetings. I resolved, 
after consulting with the officers and friends, to form a church 
in the regiment. We had nearly loo men, officers and soldiers, 
who were members of various churches. For harmony, it was 
essential to form the church on principles common to all and 
I therefore drew up a form of doctrine and covenant to which 
all could assent, and which would bind us in unity, and bear 
with it all the sanctity of a sacred agreement. 

Before the communion I devoted every hour, when the men 
were in camp, to visiting from tent to tent, and talked with 
each separately or in the tent circle, in regard to their religi- 
ous hopes and views. 

On Sabbath, February 9, 1862, we organized the church, and 
received into its communion 170 members, about sixty of 
whom for the first time confessed Christ. At the commence- 
ment of the services I baptized six young soldiers ; they 
kneeled before me and I consecrated them to God for life and 
for death — the majority of them, it proved, for death. Then 
followed the communion service. This was one of the most 
aflFecting and impressive services of my life." 

Mrs. Hays, in a letter to her family at home, describes this 
beautiful and solemn occasion: 

"Sunday, February 2, 1862. 
"Today we found the large tent crowded so that not even standing 
room could be secured. Still I managed to get in. I never was in a 
more solemn assembly. After dinner Colonel Hays drove me to the 
hospital, where I found the patients looking clean and comfortable, 
much better than when I was here before, and not one severe case 
most of them suffering with rheumatism. As Alex. (Colonel Hays) 
passed along the beds, he had a cheerful and pleasant word to speak 
to all. How kindly he was answered! Some tried to get up that 
they might speak or catch his hand. His influence is wonderful. 
The lady nurses speak in the highest terms of him. As we rode 
home we stopped on the brow of a hill to enjoy the view. At our 
feet lay the camps of fifty regiments, all out on dress parade, and as 
the sun shone upon the glistening bayonets, it looked more like a 
scene of enchantment than one of civil war; the music floated upon 
the evening breeze, making me feel sad. How many will return to 



28 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

their homes, God alone knows! After supper I went again to the 
prayer meeting and some of the prayers I will never forget; some 
were for a widowed mother, some were for a wife and children. 
Tattoo beat while we were in prayer. I never knew it had to come 
so soon. 

"This week is to be devoted to prayer meetings each evening. 
Next Sunday Dr. Marks, Chaplain, intends to have a communion; a 
number of young men are to unite with the church and become 
'Soldiers of the Cross.' Several will be baptized." 

"Sunday, February 9, 1862. 

"The Sixty-third start on three days' picket duty tomorrow at 
daybreak, so Camp Johnston will be deserted, except for the guard. 

"This morning we had communion service for the first time. 
There were nearly two hundred communicants, sixty of whom took 
the sacrament for the first time. Mrs. Jameson and General came 
over and went with me. Brothers Danks, Jones and I composed the 
choir, but all joined, and I have seldom heard better singing, for 
all sang from their hearts." 



CHAPTER II. 

(From September 12, 1S61, to March 17, 1862.) 



Camp Shields— Camp Johnston, alias Camp Pennyroyal— Deserter 
Drummed Out op Service — Military Execution — Picket Duty — 
PoHicK Church- Flag Presentation. 



"Our past is bright and grand 

In the purpling tints of time 
And the present of our land , 

Points to glories more sublime. 
For our destiny is won, 

And 'tis ours to lead the van 
Of the nations marching on, 

Of the moving hosts of Man. 

Yes, the starry Flag alone 

Shall wave above the van 
Of the nations sweeping on 

Of the moving hosts of man." 

— Joseph A. O'Conner. 

/^ AMP HAYS, named in honor of our Colonel, was a pleas- 
ant place, situated on some gently rolling ground a short 
distance east of the Capitol, of which we had a good view. 

On September I2th we had quite an excitement. A com- 
pany that had l)cen sent to our regiment by mistake, being 
intended for another regiment, discovered their error, and 
striking their tents were preparing to leave. The rest of the 
regiment was called on to stop these proceedings. The men 
who w'anted to leave were at once surrounded by leveled 
bayonets and their Captain arrested. It looked squally for a 
time, but after a while things were properly explained and 
the Captain was permitted to take his men away. 

Men were arriving daily to fill up the different regiments 
and sr)on all the landscape became dotted over with camps, 
and in every direction, the canvas habitations were rising and 
the magic city of the Army of the Potomac was being rapidly 
built up. It was during this month that we got our uniforms. 



30 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

and they were sadly needed. To tell the truth, we had been 
most wretchedly ragged and any one of us approaching a 
house at the present day, clad as we were then, would be 
driven off, or have the dogs set on us as suspicious characters 
or tramps. The uniforms consisted of a dark blue blouse, light 
blue trousers, shirts that were half wool and half cotton, low, 
broad-soled shoes, small forage caps and very good under- 
shirts and drawers. Our first clothing was mostly miserable 
shoddy foisted on the government by rascally contractors. 
The trousers, as soon as they got wet, went to pieces, and 
nearly every soldier could be seen going around with his knees 
seeking the fresh air. Afterward we drew reasonably good 
dress coats, overcoats and high hats. These hats caused con- 
siderable grumbling among the boys. They were high, stiff 
affairs, and had enough brass fixings about them to make a 
preserving kettle. We only drew them once and were glad 
that the}^ never asked us to wear them again. 

No more beautiful sight could be seen or imagined than to 
stand on some neighboring eminence just as the day was 
dawning, and watch the army waking up. At first the bugles 
at the different headquarters would sound the reveille, and in 
a few minutes the bands of the different regiments took up 
the call until the air vibrated with the rolling of the drums 
and the music of the fifes. This brought the boys hurrying 
out of their tents to answer morning roll call and prepare for 
the duties of the day. Soon the smoke from innumerable cook 
fires announced that breakfast was being prepared, and all the 
noise and clatter of a day in the army began. 

On September i8th. Colonel Alex. Hays arrived at camp 
from Pittsburgh, where he had been superintending the recruit- 
ing of the remainder of the regiment. The boys received him 
with an ovation which must have been very gratifying to 
him. In a letter to his wife, Colonel Hays tells of his recep- 
tion as follows: 

"I arrived in camp safe and sound, and if you had witnessed 
my reception you would be disposed to be jealous. This fam- 
ily of nine hundred children were frantic, and if ever a poor 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 31 

parent was hugged to death, I came near suffering that fate. 
I am very much pleased with my regiment, as I ought to be, 
for it pleases everybody else." 

Up to this time Lieutenant Colonel Morgan had beej! in 
command and had drilled the men. Colonel Morgan was a 
good officer and was very well liked by the men. He was 
pleasant and affable, and could be approached by any of the 
soldiers. He listened to any complaint they had, and was 
always ready to render any justice that was due them. 

Alex. Hays, our Colonel, was a thorough soldier, hot and 
fiery and impetuous at times, but courteous and kindly withal ; 
he infused his spirit into his men, and it was this peculiarity 
that made the Sixty-third one of the most famous regiments 
in the war. At first, when the boys were green in the service, 
he was most patient with them, taking great pains to instruct 
them in the various duties, being very lenient to their mis- 
takes until they had time to master all the duties of a soldier, 
and then he expected them to be sure to perform them prop- 
erly or they would quickly hear from him in a way they did 
not fancy. He was just to his men, and though he occasion- 
ally hauled them over the coals severely, he would not have 
suffered the commanding General to abuse them. He was 
quick to see that any wrongs they might have were speedily 
righted, and nothing brought an outburst of wrath from him 
quicker than to discover that someone was trying to wrong 
or impose upon any of his boys. On the officers he made the 
lash of his discipline fall promptly, and woe to that officer 
who disobeyed his orders or tried to shirk his duty. 

Early in 1862, Major Wallace tendered his resignation, 
which was accepted, and he returned to his home. The gallant 
William S. Kirkwood was promoted in his place. Kirkwood 
was a true soldier, brave and fearless, and was soon after made 
Lieutenant-Colonel and received his death wound at Chancel- 
lorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. 

Our Chaplain was Rev. Junius J. Marks, a good man in 
every sense of the word, and a true friend of the soldier. 

After the arrival of Colonel Hays, the work of drilling wen^ 



32 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

on rapidly and soon the Sixty-third could march and maneu\ er 
with the precision of veterans. 

Some humorous incidents occurred here, worthy of men- 
tion. It was noticed that many of the men were indulging in 
drinking, and the Colonel gave orders to the camp guards to 
search every man coming into camp, and if any liquor was 
found on him, it should be destroyed. That stopped the 
bringing in of the liquor, but only for a short time, and 
it was evident to all that considerable of the ardent was 
being smuggled into camp. It was a mystery how it was 
done, but at last it was discovered. Watermelons were plenty 
in Washington, and most of the boys who went to the city 
would bring back a watermelon which, of course, was not 
considered contraband, and here is where the cunning chaps 
got their work in. One would purchase a large melon, cut 
a square hole in it, and with a spoon scrape out all the soft 
inside, then filling it up with whiskey, would insert the plug 
and with this melon under his arm, march proudly into camp. 
But one day a member of Company C came to grief. Just as 
he passed the guard at the gate, he let his melon fall. It 
bursted and lo, over a pint of whiskey ran out. That ended 
the carrying in of liquor by the watermelon line. 

Although everything had taken on a warlike appearance, we 
still firmly believed the war would end within a year. True, 
we expected to do some fighting, but we believed that one 
good battle would settle the business, that we would so ever- 
lastingly whip the rebels that they would forever end their 
idea of fighting the North, and we were anxious that our army 
be hurried on to meet the foe. John McCune, of Company A, 
said one day, "Why don't they move us on against the rebs 
and let us lick them all to thunder? I want to get back home 
about Christmas." Poor John, he never saw his home again; 
the deadly swamps at Yorktown caused his death. 

We remained at Camp Hays until September 28th, when on 
the afternoon of that day, orders came to strike tents and pre- 
pare to move, — where, we did not know. During our stay at 
this camp, the men were drilled daily, and had become pro- 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMPLXT 33 

ficient in the manual of arms, in battalion and company drills, 
and Avere well posted in the movements that afterward 
gave this regiment its prestige for well known efficiency. The 
tents struck, loaded in wagons, and everything in readiness, 
we left Camp Hays for which wc had grown to have quite an 
affection. We marched down through the city of Washington 
and halted on the bank of the Potomac, where boats plied 
between the city and Alexandria. Soldiers had become so 
common in the city of Washington that the passage of a regi- 
ment through the streets did not cause any excitement or 
comment. In a short time we were marched on board an 
immense ferry boat where we were stowed like sardines in a 
box. "We had no idea as to our destination, and some of the 
boys supposed that we would be taken to where we would 
soon see active service. However, the boat proceeded to 
Alexandria, Va., where she lay at the wharf until morning, 
none of the men being allowed to leave until we received 
orders to disembark. As soon as it became light we were 
taken aehore and encamped in the street leading to the main 
part of the city. When this portion of the army crossed the 
Potomac, the rebels, who had taken their post at ^Munson's 
Hill, withdrew and fell back toward Manassas. 

The great curiosity to the boys at this time was the ^Marshall 
House on King Street, where Colonel Ellsworth had been shot 
by J. W. Jackson, the proprietor, while in the act of taking 
down a rebel flag that was flying from the roof of the house. 
The building had become a kind of Mecca to the soldiers who 
were desirous of securing some relic to send home to friends, 
and when we visited it on the morning of Septeiuber 29, 1861, 
it was astonishing to see how completely it had been demol- 
ished. The flag staff had been entirely cut away and of the 
stairs where Ellsworth had fallen, not a vestige remained. 
Every soldier wanted to send a piece to his friends as a valu- 
able relic of this noted place, and if every piece of wood that 
was sent home as the "original" flag staff of the Marshall 
Plouse could have been collected together, they would have 
furnished enoucrh material to have constructed a dozen 



34 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

immense flag staffs. When our regiment visited it, not a 
particle of the old flag staff remained, but that did not matter 
to the boys. The first letter they wrote to their friends con- 
tained a slip of pine wood labeled "Piece of the flag staff of 
the Marshall House, Alexandria, where Colonel Ellsworth was 
shot," and no doubt today there may be found in some homes, 
among other cherished relics of war, a piece of wood which the 
descendants of some soldier proudly show to their friends as 
a part of that historical flag staff, little dreaming that it was 
nothing more than a slice taken off a common block of pine 
picked up by the roadside. 

After visiting this building and snatching a hasty breakfast 
of hard tack and drinking a tin of coffee made on a fire kindled 
in the middle of the street, we took a run through the old town 
and saw a number of places of historic interest. The bugle 
then sounded the assembly, and again we fell into line and 
with the military band playing "Yankee Doodle" to soothe the 
feelings of the "secesh" element which abounded in Alex- 
andria, we marched out the Leesburg Pike and ascended a 
long hill, halted about two and a half miles from Alexandria, 
and were ordered to pitch our tents and form camp. This 
camp was known as Camp Shields, and we remained here 
until the 14th of October. 

It seems almost incredible that so many years have rolled 
away into the misty past since we took up the life .of a soldier, 
and that the stooped and shriveled gray-haired men whom we 
meet today were the stalwart and strong men who followed 
the Stars and Stripes and marched proudly in their strength 
to the drum beat, yet so it is. Few are left of that mighty 
army that encamped around the Nation's Capitol in the fall 
of that memorable year, 1861. Their comrades are sleeping on 
every battlefield — in the swamps of the Chickahominy, by 
the murmuring waters of the Rappahannock, in the wild 
wastes of the Wilderness, on the slopes of Gettysburg and 
hundreds of other battlefields. 

"Their good swords rust. 
Their bones are dust, 
But their souls are with the saints we trust." 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 35 

In the Southern prison pens, those hells upon earth, thous- 
ands yielded up their lives amidst such dreadful scenes of 
suffering as cause the blood to chill in the veins when spoken 
of even at this distant day. 

Camp Shields, named in honor of the Shields family of 
Sewickley, was situated on the Leesburg Pike, on the farm of 
Mrs. Powell. The spirit of vandalism was one of the things 
to be regretted in the army. The large, handsome house was 
used as a hospital, the owners having fled to Richmond at the 
approach of our army, and the surroundings were soon 
destro3'ed by the same vandalism. The beautiful fruit and 
ornamental trees and shrubbery were cut down, the fences and 
outbuildings used for fuel, and in a short time everything wore 
the look of desolation. When the owners returned and looked 
over their once beautiful home, how they must have cursed the 
hated Yankees, deep and bitter. 

While encamped at this place we were visited by the Presi- 
dent and Mrs. Lincoln. They drove slowly by while the 
ragged boys stood in picturesque groups, backed up close to 
each other to hide as much as possible, the dilapidated condi- 
tion of their wardrobes. This was the first time many of us 
had seen the President, and we all agreed that a more homely 
man would be hard to find. As Sergeant "Bob" Nesbit 
remarked at the time, "He looked exactly like an old farmer 
going to a cross-roads church." 

When at Camp Shields we witnessed our first military 
funeral. A member of the Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania Regi- 
ment, which then belonged to our brigade, died and was buried 
with the honors of war. We vvill never forget our feelings 
as we saw the martial band, with slow rolling muffled drums 
and measured step, precede the simple pine box that contained 
the remains of "Somebody's Darling." The squad, with 
reversed arms and solemn visages, slowly wended their way to 
the open grave on the quiet hillside. The sad strain of the 
dead march sent a chill to every heart. We were not used to 
such things then. After the body was lowered into the shallow 
grave and the three volleys were fired over it, the band struck 



36 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

up a lively tune and the poor fellow was left on the lonesome 
hillside, soon to be forgotten by all, save away in a Northern 
home a wife or mother would weep bitter tears over the loved 
one who would return no more and whose low grave they 
would never see. 

"Somebody's waiting and watching for him, 

Yearning to hold him again to her breast; 
And there he lies with his blue eyes dim, 

And the smiling, child-like lips apart. 
Tenderly bury the fair young dead — 

Pausing to drop on his grave a tear, 
Carve on the wooden slab o'er his head, 

'Somebody's Darling Slumbers Here.' " 

It was in this camp that we received our first pay, $ii.oo 
in gold for one month's service. The government had prom- 
ised to pay its soldiers in gold or its equivalent, but for some 
reason it went back on its word and we were often paid in 
greenbacks when gold was worth $2.50, thus making our 
$13.00 monthly pay about $5.20 on a gold basis. As soon as 
the boys had drawn their scanty pay, the officers were besieged 
for passes to go to Alexandria, where many spent their little 
all in a few hours in some of the rum holes, while others sent 
their scanty mite home to their families. 

Camp Shields was not a suitable place for a regular camp, 
as the surrounding country was too hilly and broken to have 
regular battalion drills. While here we were joined by Dr. 
Crawford, a most excellent surgeon, kind and friendly in his 
manner, and all the boys soon grew to love him, but we were 
not allowed to keep him long for sometime in October he was 
promoted to brigade surgeon. The following February, to the 
great delight of the men, we got Surgeon James K. Rodgers, 
a good kind of a fellow, but he was dismissed from service 
with a number of other officers July 26, 1862, on charges pre- 
ferred by Colonel Hays, on account of leaving his post in time 
of battle. 

On Monday, October 14th. just after we had finished our 
dinner of beans and hard tack, orders came to strike tents and 
get ready for the march. We had no idea of our destination, 
but the regular camp rumors were that we were to go to 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 37 

Manassas, as the eneni}' were reported to be in force there and 
as we thought only of meeting and thrashing him and thus 
ending the war, we were in high glee. In a very short time 
the canvas city disappeared as by magic, the tents were 
bundled into wagons, the boys strapped on their knapsacks, 
filled their canteens, shouldered their muskets, and to the 
enlivening music of the fife and drum, started ofif gaily from 
Camp Shields. 

We marched down the old Leesburg Pike a short distance 
and then filed right. We left Alexandria on our left, and 
crossing the historical Hunting Creek, noted for the immense 
flocks of wild geese and ducks that frequented its waters, 
passed the partly completed Fort Lyon, and after going about 
three-quarters of a mile further on the Alexandria and Pohick 
Road, encamped on the farm of a noted rebel named George 
Mason. \\q were now on the extreme left of the Army of the 
Potomac and in the Corps commanded by General Heintzel- 
man. 

A more bitter or non-compromising rebel never lived than 
this man Mason upon whose farm we were encamped. He 
hated the very name of North, and everything connected with 
it. A more haughty, overbearing autocrat never existed, and it 
was gall and wormwood to him to see the boys in blue on his 
place, and the hated Stars and Stripes flaunted in his very face. 
He was a prominent politician, also a magistrate, and it was 
said his great delight was to have poor whites arrested for 
petty larceny, trading with his negroes, or other trival charges. 
He would have them tied to a post in his yard and would sit 
on his porch and rub his hands with glee to see them writhe 
under the lash well laid on by a stalwart overseer. He had 
been very wealthy, and as a politician, had worked hard to 
embitter the South against the North. He was the author of 
the celebrated bill brought up in convention to have all 
Northern men expelled from the State of Virginia, and was 
one of secession's most ardent advocates. 

But a day of retribution came at last. One beautiful morn- 
ing in May he was startled by the terrible news that Colonel 



38 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

Ellsworth, with his Zouaves, had crossed the Potomac, entered 
Alexandria, and invaded the "sacred soil of Virginia." Ter- 
rible consternation seized him at once, and hasty preparations 
were made for immediate flight. He gathered up his large 
band of slaves, packed up his plate and other valuables, loaded 
his wagons, put his family into carriages, and in the wildest 
haste, made a start for Richmond. But he had a bitter dose 
yet to swallow. Just as his family carriage, followed by his 
slaves,' reached the great gate leading to the Pohick Road, a 
squad of Union Cavalry dashed up and halted the procession. 
The family was terribly frightened, and it is said that Mason's 
profanity was sublime and picturesque. He cursed the Union 
and its defenders, called them mud sills, Lincoln hirelings, 
Yankee scum, and other pet names, declaring that such an 
outrage on a Virginian gentleman would cause rivers of blood 
to flow. But the soldiers were firm and marched him and his 
family back to the house where, for many weary months, he 
was compelled to remain a prisoner, never being permitted to 
leave the premises. This meant a holiday for his slaves, many 
of whom ran off, all delighted at the state of affairs and 
greatly enjoyed the discomfiture of "ole mastah." 

The camp where we were now located was known as Camp 
Johnston, though the boys with their usual habit of giving 
fanciful names to all our camps, called it "Camp Pennyroyal," 
and here Jameson's Brigade settled down and remained until 
March 17, 1862. 

A soldier of the regiment named Henry Gaterman, was a 
peculiar character and his eccentricities on many occasions 
created much merriment among his comrades in arms. The 
first occasion on which his peculiarities were brought promi- 
nently to notice, was one night when he was on guard and the 
"grand rounds" were expected to visit us. The so-called grand 
rounds consisted of a commissioned officer accompanied by a 
sergeant and several men who make a nightly visit to the 
several regiments comprising a brigade to see that the sen- 
tinels are up to their duty and that a strict guard is being kept. 
If possible, the grand rounds would slip in past the guard by 



STORY OP THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 39 

strategem, and it was considered a great disgrace on that 
regiment if such a thing was done as it was an evidence of 
carelessness on the part of the guards, and also reflected on 
the officers, hence, when the grand rounds were expected, the 
sentinels were cautioned particularly to be on the "qui vive," 
and receive him in the proper manner. 

On this particular night, Henry was on duty at a point 
where Colonel Hays expected the grand rounds to enter the 
camp, so he gave him careful instructions as to how he should 
act. He said : 

"Now remember. When you see several men approaching 
you, call out, 'Halt! Who goes there?' If the}^ answer 'Grand 
Rounds,' 3'ou will say, 'Halt, grand rounds. Advance Sergeant 
with the countersign !' The Sergeant will then come forward 
and whisper the countersign, and you will then say, 'Correct; 
advance grand rounds;' and then permit them to pass." 

This he repeated several times over and over again until 
Henry said he had it perfect. 

Sure enough that night, about midnight, the grand rounds 
appeared at Henry's post. In a loud stentorian voice Henry 
called out : 

"Halt! Who goes dere?" 

Promptly came the response : 

"Grand Rounds." 

Poor Henry had forgotten what to say next, but after a 
moment's study he called out: 

"All right, come aheat." 

The grand rounds came into camp, went to the guard head- 
quarters and sent a messenger to awaken Colonel Hays and 
inform him that the regiment had been captured. The anger 
of the colonel was terrible, and Henry languished in the guard 
house for over a week and was compelled to carry a rail up 
and down the color line for several hours each day. He after- 
ward said, when talking about it : 

"Ouf I had knowed it would hafe make so much drubble, 
besser it vas I would hafc shot der grant rouns ven he come 
arount." 



40 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

He never could understand why it was necessary for a senti- 
nel to be so strict, and some of us, finding- out how easy he 
was, used to go up to him when he was on guard and say, 
"Henry, I want to go outside a little while and will be back 
soon." His invariable reply was, "All right, go aheat." At 
last he was caught letting soldiers through the guard line 
without the countersign and another dose of guard house^. and 
rail carrying followed. This changed his temper and he 
warned us all to keep awa}^ from him at night when he was 
on guard, and the very next time one of the boys tried to dodge 
past him he shot at him and if his aim had been good, there 
"would have been a dead soldier. He was not a coward by any 
means, nor did he shirk his duty, but Avas so bungling and 
awkward that he escaped many a dangerous affair by being 
left in camp when the regiment went out on an extra hazard- 
ous duty. All the boys were sorry when they learned that 
Henry was dead, for he had caused many a hearty laugh dur- 
ing the tiresome routine of camp life. 

Camp Johnston was a ver}^ pleasant place, and soon we 
were settled to regular camp life. Details from our regiment 
and from the One Hundred and Fifth worked daily at com- 
pleting Fort Lyon. The weather, during the remainder of the 
month of October, continued very fine. The boys of Company 
A "threw together" and purchased a couple of good violins 
at Alexandria, and as there were several good players in the 
company, nearly every night there were stag dances held in 
the compan}' streets. Colonel Hays, knowing the benefit of 
these amusements to the boys, encouraged such things and 
the boys enjo3^ed it, but with the advent of November the 
weather became very disagreeable. Cold rain storms were 
almost of daily occurrence, and all out-door sports had to 
cease. We began to arrange our winter quarters, as it was 
evident we would not move before spring. AVe went into the 
woods and procured a number of small trees which were cut 
into lengths of about eight feet, and with these built little 
log houses about eight feet high and on top of these set our A 
tents. A stick and mud chimnev was built at one end, and 












\' 



> ,, ^^^^^^* ' 




( I 




I ' 




a 

0) 




STORY. OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 41 

thus we were housed as comfortably as could be expected. 
These stick and mud chimneys often caught fire in the cold 
nights when too much fire was kept up, and it was a common 
sight to see the inmates of a tent suddenly sally forth and 
kick over their chimney in order to save their tent. A great 
many practical jokes were perpetrated by the mischevious sol- 
diers, on their comrades. One was to cjuietly slip up and place 
a board oN'er the top of the chimney which would soon smoke 
out the inmates. Another trick which caused much profanity, 
was to sneak up when the tent was closely tied shut, and 
throw several blank cartridges down the chimney. These fall- 
ing into the fire would explode and scatter the fire and ashes 
all over the soldiers sleeping therein. This would cause a 
sudden rush from the tent, but the perpetrators would have 
made themselves invisible, and well for them they had, or 
they would haVe been severely injured. 

It was when we lay near F'redcricksburg, and the victim 
was a member of our regiment, that we had our first "drum- 
ming out" afifair. It was a case of desertion, and yet can 
hardly be called desertion either. The man did not desert to 
the enemy, neither did he leave the army and go home, but 
he left his command and went out on a huckstering tour, buy- 
ing goods from the sutlers and peddling them through the 
dififerent camps, making money at the business. Of course, 
being absent from the ranks and unaccounted for, he was 
marked on the rolls as a deserter. lie had been peddling some- 
time when he was arrested and returned to his regiment. A 
court martial was convened, and he was regularly tried and 
found guilty. His sentence was that he should have the but- 
tons cut ofl^ his uniform, half his head shaved, be branded on 
the hi)), and then drummed out of camp. 

Lieutenant R. A. Nesbitt was the ofificer of the guard on the 
day the sentence was to be executed. The prisoner was in 
the guard house, and when he knew what was coming, being 
a plucky fellow, he was determined that they should not cut 
off his buttons, that being a mark of deep degredation. so he 
pulled every one off his blouse, thus expecting to baffie the 



42 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

officers having- his punishment in charge, but Lieutenant 
Nesbitt had every button sewed on again and then deliberately 
cut them all off, thus carr3'ing out that part of the sentence. 
The next act was shaving half the head and the poor wretch 
kicked most vigorously against that, but the numbers were 
against him and he was compelled to submit. The next per- 
formance was a brutal one, which later was expunged from the 
list of punishments. He was marched down to the regimental 
blacksmith shop and the letter "D" branded on his right hip. 
The fellow was so plucky, however, that he never winced. A 
lid of a cracker box was then hung on his back with the word 
"DESERTER" painted on it in large black letters. Eight men 
then formed behind him with bayonets fixed, the martial band 
was placed in front of him and struck up the "Rogues March," 
the procession started, accompanied by several hundred spec- 
tators, and marched him to the guard line. As soon as he 
passed over the line he received what the boys called the part- 
ing salute, which consisted of a volley of old shoes, tin pans, 
and other miscellaneous matter, and he was turned loose to go 
where he saw fit, dishonored and disgraced forever. But to 
show the peculiar traits of soldiers, though every one of his 
old companions helped to heap ignominy on his head, though 
they willingly helped to have him suffer this disgrace on 
account of his crime against his duty as a soldier, no sooner 
was he cast adrift helpless and in deep dishonor, than num- 
bers of them met him outside the limits of the camp and 
gave him clothes and money to help him get away. He wan- 
dered off, and what became of him never was learned. Feel- 
ing deeply his disgrace, he never returned to his home, which 
was near Pittsburg, and his friends know nothing about him. 

One day a certain soldier ran away at the battle of Fair 
Oaks, and being brought before Colonel Hays he forgave him 
for that offense, but told him if he ever did so again he would 
have him drummed out of camp; this threat had such an effect 
on him that he never fiinched afterward, but always kept his 
place in time of great danger, and in the bloody charge at 
second Bull Run was literally blown to pieces by a shell. Poor 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 43 

fellow! drumming out had more terror for him than death. 
Another terrible episode we were witnesses of, was a mili- 
tary execution, and it was a sight that we never will forget. 
We saw once a man executed by hanging, and the terrors of 
that sight remained with us for many days, but hanging Joes 
not begin to comoare with the solemn and awful sight of a 
man being put to death by military law. In this case the 
victim belonged to a certain regiment of the Second Division. 
He had become tired of soldiering, or disgusted with the ser- 
vice, or his sympathies were with the rebels, but, at any rate, 
while on picket one night he deserted his post and started for 
the rebel lines. On his way he met a squad of what was 
called the Lincoln Cavalry that had been reconnoitering. He 
asked who they were and the captain, supposing that he had 
strayed out of our lines and wishing to give him a good scare, 
told him that they were a band of Confederate Cavalry. The 
soldier told them he was glad of that, as he had deserted from 
the Union forces and was on his way to join the Confederates. 
The astonished captain, still keeping up his assumed character 
of a rebel, plied him with questions as to the strength and 
position of the Federal forces, and the fellow told all he knew 
about it. After thoroughly pumping him, the captain told him 
who he was and arrested him. He was taken to headquarters, 
and in a few days a court martial sat upon his case. The 
evidence against him was so overwhelming that he was sen- 
tenced to be shot. 

The morning of the execution was dark and gloomy, a fit 
morning for so gruesome a deed. The division, under arms, 
formed the three sides of a hollow square. In the open side, 
a freshly dug grave was a sign of the tragedy soon to be 
enacted. By its side was a coffin on which the doomed man 
was seated. After the Chaplain had prayed with him, he was 
placed on his knees facing the center, a handkerchief was tied 
over his eyes, his arms were pinioned behind him, and at a 
signal, the firing squad of twelve men marched up and took 
their position in front of him. It was truly a solemn sight. 
Over eight thousand men stood motionless as though carved 



44 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

from stone, while the darkness and gloom of the day added to 
the solemnity of the occasion, and not a man in the vast host 
l)ut would rather have helped to storm a battery in full action 
than gaze at that terrible transaction. During a battle you 
may see your next man shot down by your side and not mind 
it at the time, owing to the excitement, but here everyone 
felt a chill prevading his being. The twelve guns used by the 
firing squad are loaded by a detail appointed for that 
purpose, eleven of them with ball and one with blank cart- 
ridge, so each one may have the hope he did not fire the deadly 
shot. This is done in sympathy with the men composing the 
squad as it is a terrible thing to shoot at a comrade in cold 
blood. 

As soon as the firing squad had taken its position, the Chap- 
lain retired and the officer gave the squad a signal. Instantly 
the twelve guns were brought to a ready, another signal and 
they were brought to aim — we believe every man heard the 
beating of his own heart — another signal and the pointed guns 
belched forth their deadly contents with a crash which, to our 
highly strung- nerves, sotinded louder than a cannon shot. As 
soon as the cloud of smoke cleared away, a form in blue was 
seen writhing upon the ground in the agony of death. The 
entire division was marched past the spot that all could see 
the corpse and take warning from his fate, the bod}^ was 
thrown into the rough box and quickly lowered into the grave 
and the men went back to their camps, leaving their comrade 
sleeping in an unhonored grave over which no comrade or 
friend would ever strew flowers or express any regret. Poor 
fellow ! his crime was great and terrible had been the penalty, 
yet it was necessary to teach a fearful lesson to others not to 
betray their country. 

All the surviving members of the Sixty-third will remember 
the active work of our Chaplain, Rev. Dr. Marks, to cheer up 
the boys during the long, cold and stormy winter of '6i and 
'62, while we lay in Camp Johnston. During the latter part 
of November there set in a long spell of stormy and miserable 
w^eather, the ground was a mass of mortar, the tents were 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 45 

flooded, the weather became most dismal and gloomy, and the 
men were unable to leave their quarters save when they were 
compelled to stand guard, sometimes almost to their knees in 
mud. the cold rain falling- on them, chilling them to the bone, 
and all began to grow restless and impatient. Letters from 
home informed us that a great change had taken place there, 
all manufacturing concerns had started tip with a boom and 
wages were higher than ever before ; those who had remained 
at home were coining money, while many of the wives and 
little ones of the soldiers were beginning to feel the cold grip 
of poverty and were suffering from sickness, cold and hunger ; 
those big-hearted Union savers who said, "Go boys," go and 
save our beloved country and we will take care of your families 
and see that they do not suffer," had forgotten their promises 
and the soldiers' wives and children soon had nothing to 
depend upon but the scanty $13.00 a month which were paid 
him at irregular intervals. To make it worse, all the necessi- 
ties of life began to go up in price, and the mother of a large 
family 1)egan to be sorely pressed for the bread for herself 
and her hungry brood. These troubles she told her soldier 
husband in her letters, con.sequently many of the boys in blue 
began to feel the corroding of the fetters that bound them to a 
military life from which there was no escape. Their friends 
and neighbors at home were reaping a golden harvest, while 
their loved ones were wanting the necessaries of life. All these 
things angered the soldiers, their faces became gloomy and 
their hearts grew sad, and in many cases the result soon 
became apparent. Some became homesick, the worst sickness 
that can befall a man, a sickness that mocks at medicine and 
the doctor's skill ; they became despondent and were sent to 
the hospital, where many sank, despite the doctor's care, and 
passed away from life. 

It was at this time that Chaplain Marks showed his tact 
as a man who understood these peculiar phases of men under 
such circumstances, and he began at once to devise plans to 
divert their thoughts as much as possible from brooding over 
their home troubles. He started various things of an inter- 



46 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

esting character ; gave lectures every week on pleasant sub- 
jects, and as he had traveled extensively in the Holy Land, 
his lectures on Palestine were highly appreciated. He organ- 
ized a night school, a debating society, and various other plans 
to amuse the men. ■ He had a large hospital tent which was 
used as a house of worship and for entertainments, and 
scarcely an evening passed that it was not well filled. In all 
these efforts for the entertainment of the men, he was well 
seconded by Colonel Hays, who was always anxious for the 
welfare of his soldiers. Chaplain Marks went from tent to 
tent, conversed with the men, and organized a church in camp, 
at which large numbers congregated regularly. In short, the 
good work done by this aged minister during the gloomy 
winter will never be fully appreciated. 

Pickets are the advance guard placed from one to two miles 
and sometimes much farther in advance of the main body of 
the army, according to its proximity to the enemy. During 
the winter we lay at Camp Johnston, a body of the enemy were 
encamped opposite our left, on the Occoquan, a sluggish 
stream that flowed into the Potomac about three miles from 
Mt. Vernon. The Richmond road from Alexandria crosses it 
about six miles from its mouth, and at its crossing the old- 
fashioned and dilapidated village of Occoquan was situated. 
The enemy's force, said to number about 30,000 men, under 
General Wigfall, held the heights and occupied the fords. 
About five or six miles above the Occoquan, and running 
parallel with it, was the stream called Accotink, which also 
flowed into the Potomac. Our picket lines were on the Acco- 
tink while those of the rebels were on the Occoquan, and 
between these two streams was a tract of country which might 
be called debatable ground which was overrun by the scouts 
of both armies, and parties from either side would collect for- 
age and pick up everything of a portable nature that could be 
used in camp, hence the people living on this tract were in a 
sad predicament, being robbed by both sides — not a chicken, 
sheep, hog, or anything eatable left them, save such things as 
they could securely hide from the keen-eyed foragers. Some- 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 47 

times these scouting parties would meet and there would be 
a skirmish. An affair of this kind occurred on the night of 
the 5th of March, 1862. We were on picket at Pohick Church, 
and a detachment of the regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel 
Morgan, had gone out on a scout toward Occoquan. The rebels 
prepared a trap for them, and as they were passing along a 
dark and lonely road, they were saluted by a severe fire from 
the enemy in ambush which killed Captain C. W. Chapman 
of Company K, Quartermaster James S. Lysle and Private 
Cyrus IMoore of Company G, and wounded several others. 
Our men returned the fire, but it is not known if any of the 
rebels were killed or w^ounded. In these things the enemy, 
on account of their knowledge of the ground and having the 
sympathy of the inhabitants, who, by some means or other, 
always managed to notify them, escaped when we thought 
we had them bagged. 

The regiments comprising a brigade were sent out in turn 
on picket service alternately. They remained out three days, 
and the boys were well pleased with it when the weather was 
pleasant, as they were exempt from all drills and camp duties. 
It always gave them an opportunity to do some foraging on 
the sly, and many a chicken's life went out and many a potato 
patch yielded its quota to furnish a supper around a camp fire 
in the dark woods. The picket posts were about 100 yards 
apart, but this was arranged to suit the lay of the land, and 
sometimes they were much closer. At these posts six men 
were stationed, and they generally constructed a bush shelter 
where they slept while off duty. The advance line was usually 
placed along a road or path and stood about twenty paces 
apart. A signal and countersign were given each one, and 
when you approached the picket you had to give the signal ; 
you then advanced and gave the countersign which, if correct, 
you were allowed to pass, but after dark it was extremely 
dangerous work to approach a picket. Often during the 
proximity of the enemy, the pickets were ordered not to chal- 
lenge anyone coming from the direction of the enemy, but 



48 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

fire at once. The men. especially green troops, we.e more 
likely to fire without heeding orders. 

On November 8th we lost one of our men in this way. 
There was an alarm on the picket line, and a young German 
named Joseph Gardner of Compan}' G, hurried up the line to 
inform his officer of the trouble, and owing to his excitement 
and difficulty to speak the English language promptly, he 
hesitated when challenged. That hesitation was fatal, the 
next moment he was shot dead by the picket. 

There was no position more dangerous than standing on a 
lone picket po£t in the dead of night, not knowing at what 
moment the deadly crack of a sharpshooter's musket would 
break the stillness and the picket would be "off duty forever." 

In a short time our lines were extended still further with 
headquarters at Pohick Church. This memorable building, 
where Washington used to attend divine services, was one of 
the most remarkable relics of the da3'S of the Father of His 
Country. It stood on the Richmond road, twelve miles west 
of Alexandria, in a beautiful situation on a hill above Pohick 
Creek, surrounded by forests of pine and other trees. It was 
of brick, with stone corners and stone floors. The pews were 
square pens and the pulpit resembled a huge bird cage with 
a steep stairway leading to it. The church was built in 1773 
by a number of the distinguished old families — the Lees, 
Masons, Washingtons, Fairfaxes, and others. The bricks used 
in its construction were brought from England. 

Our army was materially assisted wdien on picket, by a man 
named Dan Williamson, who called himself the "Scout of 
Pohick." He was a resident of this part of the country, and 
although what was known as a "poor white," was very shrewd 
and keen. On account of some injury received from some of 
the wealthy rebels, he regarded them with a most deadly 
hatred and did all in his power to injure them out of revenge. 
He knew every road and bridle path, and his services as a spy 
and scout were invaluable. After the war he attended a house 
raising, and some of those who had served in the army and 
knew of his actions during the war, killed him in cold blood. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 49 

Evidencing the strictness of Colonel Hays, regarding order 
and discipline in camp, the following order was issued at the 
time indicated in date line : 

Headquarters Sixty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, 

Camp Johnston, 

December 10, 1861. 
Regimental Order No. 11: 

All gambling and card playing is positively prohibited in this 
camp. Persons disobeying this order will be severely punished. 

By order of 

ALEXANDER HAYS, 
Colonel Commanding Sixty-third P. V. 
GEO. P. CORTS, Adjutant. 

On February 19, 1862, a change was made in the old Jameson 
Brigade. The Sixt3^-first Regiment, Colonel O. P. Rippey, 
was taken out and in its place we got the Eighty-seventh New 
York. The Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania Regiment was also 
taken away and we got the Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania Regi- 
ment, Colonel Campbell, in its place; this was a splendid regi- 
ment and had an excellent record as a fighter. 

The year 1862 opened up brightly, the cold and disagreeable 
weather of November and December passed away, and bright 
sunshine took its place. The camps began to enliven up and 
the men became cheerful. A number of officers, who had been 
playing the hero while the army lay in winter quarters and 
there was little or no danger, as soon as the signs of an active 
campaign began to manifest themselves, threw up their com- 
missions and resigning, returned to their homes rather than 
imperil their precious lives, but to the honor of other officers, 
they remained with the boys and with them dared the hard- 
ships of the battlefield. 

On January 5, 1862, new stands of color were presented by 
the State to the Sixty-third and One Hundred and Fifth Regi- 
ments, Pennsylvania Volunteers, by General J. K. Moorhead, 
of Pittsburgh, on behalf of the State. General Moorhead 
spoke as follows : 

Colonels Hays of the Sixty-third, and McKnight of the One Hun- 
dred and Fifth Regiments, Pennsylvania Volunteers: 
I have been designated by the Governor of the Commonwealth of 



50 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

the State of Pennsylvania, to present these beautiful flags to you, 
and through you, to the brave men of your regiments. I am proud 
to be the medium used on this occasion, because I see in it the 
paternal care of the old Commonw^ealth for her children. She 
responded early and nobly to the President's call for men. She 
clothed, armed and equipped her sons and sent them by thousands, 
and tens of thousands, to the tented field. She made provision for 
the wives and families of her absent soldiers. One of her most touch- 
ing acts of care and attention, was to provide a flag to be presented 
to each regiment, to be borne into the thickest of the battle, and 
again returned to the archives of the state when war's fierce tempest 
is stilled. Upon it shall be recorded the deeds of valor performed 
by you and your commands, to be preserved for posterity, and thereby 
stimulate them to like deeds of daring and valor. There is, there- 
fore, a responsibility in giving, and a greater one in receiving, these 
flags. I give it to you, sir, (turning to Colonel Hays), with full con- 
fidence that its glory and honor will be safe; that you will cherish 
it as the "apple of your eye." Your antecedents tell me (if I do not 
know you) that you will defend it with your life's blood. But I do 
know you, sir, as a native son of Pennsylvania, and after having 
fought under the National flag in Mexico in your youth, I can, with 
confidence, now in the full vigor of your manhood, place this sacred 
boon in your hands. 

The courage, bravery and military skill that won for you, so 
justly, a brevet-second lieutenancy on the field of Palo Alto, and 
afterwards a brevet lieutenancy on the plains of Resaca de la Palma, 
will not, I know, fail you now, when you have such a noble regiment 
as this now before me, under your command. I therefore look with 
confidence to you and these brave men for a brilliant and glorious 
record for the Sixty-third. And you, sir, (addressing Colonel 
McKnight), although never having won a brevet on the field of 
battle, yet the valor and patriotism you have so promptly exhibited 
in responding to your country's call, and the fact of closing your law 
books, abandoning your briefs, and laying down your pen to 
unsheathe the sword in defense of your country; and the success you 
have already had in bringing into the field this noble and magnifi- 
cent regiment of hardy woodsmen, is sufficient evidence to me of your 
valor and ability. I therefore, with equal confidence, entrust this 
banner to you, knowing that it will never be dishonored nor yielded 
to the enemy. 

Take these fiags. Colonels, into the midst of your commands, and I 
know the brave hearts that will surround them — many of them my 
own immediate neighbors and constituents, from the vicinity of 
Washington's earliest campaigns — from Braddock's field. Fort Pitt 
and the Allegheny valley- — will never abandon them to the enemy. 




Original Flag. Sixty-third Regiment, in Flag Room of Capitol 
at Harrisbuig, Pa. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 51 

or suffer them to be dishonored, while God gives them life and power 
to defend them. This is the sarhe National emblem that was fired 
on at Fort Sumter, causing a thrill in every patriot's heart. It floats 
over the best Government that God ever gave to man — one which the 
blood of our forefathers was poured out like water to establish, and 
now, I regret to say, that ours is necessary to defend; not from a 
foreign foe, or a distant enemy, but from the parricidal hands of 
our former friends — of those who have carried this same flag with 
honor on many a battlefield. I will not now, as I know I need not, 
recapitulate the causes of this war. Our Southern brethren, after 
governing the nation almost without interruption ever since the 
adoption of our glorioiis Constitution, have now, in their madness 
and folly, attempted to strike down what they have been aiding for 
nearly a century to build up. "May God forgive them, for they 
know not what they do." 

I believe the weakness of issuing proclamations has not yet reached 
the Colonels of regiments. It will not, I know, reach you. 

The business of the soldier, in my opinion, is to deal with traitors 
and rebels in a more summary manner. When you write proclama- 
tions, Colonels, I will expect to see them written with the sword's 
point in the blood of our enemies. 

It is your business to put down this rebellion, to carry this 
National emblem of Stars and Stripes, with the Pennsylvania coat of 
arms upon it, (showing the union of State and National sovereignty), 
in one hand, and the Constitution of our country in the other, mak- 
ing war upon our enemies, giving succor and support to our friends. 

You are not fighting to establish or to overthrow State 'Govern- 
ments, but to restore anJ maintain the glorious Constitution and 
Union given us by our fathers, "one and indivisible," "now and 
forever." When that is accomplished, which God grant may speedily 
be done, your work will be finished. You will then return home, 
and receive the plaudits and homage of your friends and grateful 
countrymen. May God protect and preserve you in this holy work. 

Captain Reid, acting for Colonel Hays, in behalf of the Sixty-third 
Regiment, responded to General Moorhead as follows: 

General: — 'On behalf of Colonel Hays and the officers and soldiers 
of the Sixty-third Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, it becomes 
my agreeable duty to receive this beautiful standard at your hands, 
and to thank you, and through you the noble old Commonwealth 
of Pennsylvania, for this sign of recognition, — this proof of sym- 
pathy — this sign and pledge of loyalty and victory. 

That flag, sir, that piece of colored silk, considered in itself, is of 
no great intrinsic value. It never yet has waved over victorious 
hosts on a historic field, or over Columbia's gallant tars on any 
blood-stained battle-deck. It has probably never has be^^n unfurled 



52 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

but once or twice since the last stitch was put upon its hem, and it 
came a finished fabi'ic from the hands that shaped and mounted it. 
But if it is the first time that its folds have kissed the breeze, it is 
far from being a fabric merely of today or yesterday, having no value 
or significance beyond the materials of which it is composed or the 
striking beauty of its starry blazonry. It has, sir, to you and to me, 
and to all of us, a value and a meaning far beyond all this. If this 
standard is new, in one sense of the word, it is nevertheless the same 
"old flag" — God bless it! — under which our fathers fought and 
triumphed in days gone by. It is the old flag around which cluster 
memories and associations dear to every American heart — dear even, 
if they dare confess it, to the hearts of those whose traitorous hands 
are now madly raised to strike that standard to the earth, and blot 
out its bright constellation in blood and darkness. It is the same 
dear old flag first consecrated by Washington, and which has waved 
over and protected our land ever since he and his compatriots made 
it free and happy- — the freest, and until now, the happiest land on 
earth. In a word, that flag has in the short space of three-quarters 
of a century wrought for itself a glorious history — a history with- 
out a parallel in the annals of the world. These considerations it 
is that make its folds, its stripes, its stars, nay its very hem and 
tassels, so dear to us; and that should make this occasion of its 
reception an era in our regiment. 

You see before you, General, a thousand Pennsylvania soldiers 
composing the Sixty-third Regiment. These strong arms and brave 
hearts have been brought here from the banks of the Monongahela 
and upper Ohio, from the waters of the Beaver, from the valley of 
the limpid Allegheny and the pine-clad hills of Clarion. They have 
left their homes and all that makes home sweet and happy, and come 
here to fight, and, if need be, to die for the Union and the Constitu- 
tion — in defense of Constitutional liberty against anarchy, and of 
legitimate government against a vast, wicked, armed rebellion. They 
have sacrificed everything else, and come hither at the call of duty 
and of country to assist in maintaining the very existence of that 
country now seriously threatened. In the fulfilment of that duty, 
whether here, on what was once Virginia's sacred soil, or under a 
Carolina's sun, or on the far off plains of Texas; whether against 
domestic traitors, if the parties to this war continue as they are, 
or against a foreign enemy, if England or any other power should 
dare to meddle in our quarrel, these men would do their duty, I am 
confident, and do it as becomes Pennsylvanians, even without a 
banner like that to stream above us in the day of battle. But I need 
not say that with that banner above us — especially when presented 
to us by our native State — native at least to nine-tenths of us — 
there is not a man among us who would not feel twice the vigor in 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 53 

his arm and twice the enthusiasm in his bosom, in the crisis of the 
contest — in that trying hour in which in almost every battle that 
is ever lost or won, so much depends on there being something more 
to animate and inspire the men than mere physical courage or con- 
fidence in the power of numbers. In such an hour as that, if it ever 
comes to the soldiers of the Sixty-third, if anything should be want- 
ing to arouse them to a last heroic effort to win the field or fall upon 
it, it would be a glance at that flag. If a soldier's sense of duty — if 
the sacredness of the cause would not suffice, — if the thoughts of 
home would not determine each one of us never to return to that 
home dishonored — if all these would not afford motive and impulse 
enough to urge us on and sustain us to the last — we need only look 
upwards to that beauteous banner- — to its wavy stripes and starry 
field- — and think of all that it represents — and think too, of the 
beloved old Commonwealth — our common mother — who has placed 
that standard in our hands to remember her by, and for safe-keep- 
ing; and then if these yeomen would not strike again, and to some 
purpose too, I very much mistake the metal they are made of, and 
the influence that flag is apt to have over the American soldier who 
fights beneath its folds. 

It would not become me, sir, to speak of the officers of this regi- 
ment. If the Sixty-third shall ever falter before the enemy, or fail 
to carry this flag gallantly through the fight, one thing, General, 
you may set down now as certain: it will not be the fault of Colonel 
Hays. His military career, as you intimate, is already historic. So 
far as he is concerned, this flag will be in safe hands. And I trust, 
I feel that the officers and soldiers under his command will stand by 
him in every emergency, and prove themselves worthy of their leader. 
If they do — Pennsylvania need never blush for her Sixty-third. 

And now. General, thanking you in the name of the regiment for 
the graceful and eloquent manner in which you have discharged 
your mission; and thanking the Governor of Pennsylvania through 
whose hands the State bestows upon us these colors, I must bring my 
remarks to a close. I join with you in the hearty hope that in a few 
short months this rebellion will be crushed and peace restored so 
that the Star-Spangled Banner may wave once more over every nook 
and corner of "the land of the free and the home of the brave." 

When that time comes, fellow soldiers of the Sixty-third, for those 
of us who may be so fortunate as to survive to see it; and when we 
shall return to enjoy again the blessings of peace under the pro- 
tection of that flag — when we shall return to the places now vacant 
at the family hearth — when we shall return home to our wives and 
children, home to our parents, brothers, sisters, friends, aye boys, 
and sweethearts, too; and when we shall be telling of the part we 
have had in this great drama — of our "hair-breath 'scapes and raov- 



54 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

ing accidents by flood and field," let us each now try to be able to say 
then with truth — "I was true to my colors. I never deserted my 
standard. I stood by the old flag, God bless it! God bless it!" 

A rather amusing affair occurred one day about the begin- 
ning of March, which caused a commotion in camp. It was 
a bright day and had been rather warm in the forenoon, but 
in the afternoon a sudden squall came up. It was a regular 
tornado ; the tent pins gave way and nearly every tent in camp 
was leveled to the ground. Almost all the men were inside, and 
such a floundering and struggling mingled with such swearing 
as only soldier boys can do, was never witnessed before. The 
officers fared no better than the privates, and their tents went 
down also. 

On Wednesday, March 12th, we started out on what was 
our last picket duty at Pohick, though we did not know it at 
the time. We left Camp Johnston about 9 o'clock in the morn- 
ing and arrived at Pohick about noon. Scarcely were the 
pickets placed in position when a startling rumor reached us 
that the rebels, who had been in heavy force at Manassas and 
Bull Run, had withdrawn their lines and moved back to Rich- 
mond, and the enemy, under General Wigfall, who was on the 
Occoquan. had gone also. As there was now no enemy in our 
immediate front, there was no necessity for picket guards, 
hence orders were sent promptly to Colonel Hays to return 
at once with his regiment. To tis this meant active bttsiness 
ahead. It was also joyful news to a number of Union men 
whose homes were on the Occoquan, but who were compelled 
to leave on account of their Union sympathies, at the break- 
ing out of the war, and who had been staying at Washington 
and Alexandria and dared not visit their families for fear of 
capture by the rebels and being forced into the Confederate 
Army. They had quickly learned of the evacuation of the 
place by the enemy, and were returning overjoyed to again 
meet their wives and children. They passed through our lines 
and we conversed with several of them, but never did we meet 
men who were so bitter in their views about secession or who 
could curse so vehemently the Confederate authorities who 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 55 

had flung the state into this fratricidal war. After snatching 
a hasty meal, our regiment started back on its march through 
the mud to our camp, which we reached about dark, tired and 
footsore, and almost covered with the "sacred soil'' in the form 
of mud which was of fabulous depth. 

]\Iany were the discussions held that night by the boys 
around the camp fires as to our probable destination ; many 
believed that we would be taken by way of Manassas and thus 
come upon Richmond from the north, which we would quickly 
take and have the war ended in time to return home by the 
Fourth of July. Poor fellows ! we did not understand that the 
war had scarcely begun and that between us and Richmond 
thousands and thousands of soldiers would leave their bones 
to bleach before the rebel capitol would be ours. Well for us 
that Providence hides the future from our view. 

The next morning we were ordered to pack up ready for a 
start, but about noon the order was countermanded. It was 
now noticed that an immense fleet of vessels of all kinds were 
gathering in the Potomac at Alexandria, and it was evident the 
army would move by water, but where? That was the ques- 
tion that agitated everybody. Some thought that we would 
be taken around the coast to South Carolina or some other 
point further south, but no one outside of the chief ofifiicers 
suspected where our destination would be, and thus we lay and 
surmised until March 17th. 

On Sunday, March i6th, orders were issued to the men to 
cook rations for three days and be prepared to leave camp 
next morning. We had been in this camp since the 14th of 
October, and it had become partially endeared to us as a home. 
We had fixed up our winter quarters until we were surrounded 
with many comforts ; now w'e were about leaving them forever 
to engage in the mighty struggle which we knew was before 
us, and we could not help feeling a shade of sadness. During 
the time we had been in this camp we received many things 
from home to help make us feel comfortable during the winter, 
in the way of extra blankets, quilts, etc., and these we could 
not take along with us. In the lower corner of the camp there 



66 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

stood a little shanty occupied by a family of slaves belonging 
to George Mason, the owner of the land on which we were 
encamped. This family consisted of an old couple, Uncle 
Amos and Aunt Poll}^ and several grandchildren. Aunt Polly 
was a typical old Virginia "mammy" and was a great favorite 
with the soldiers. She was very old but always wore a broad 
smile and was quite cheerful, believing that the year of jubilee 
had at last come for her and her race. In aiconversation with 
her one day she said : 

"Mastah, I knowed yeahs ago, dis wah was a-comin'. I 
done seed de signs in de hebbens, and I knowed de good Lawd 
was a-goin' to lead us out ob bondage, an' I done tole my ole 
man so, but he hadn't de faith to beleebe it; but now he done 
knows dat it was true. De day hab come, praise de Lawd." 

When we broke up camp we gave Aunt Polly everything 
we could not take along, all extra bedding, cooking utensils 
and many other things, and the old woman could hardly con- 
tain her joy at this sudden acquisition of property such as she 
had never hoped to possess. 

"Why, I'm nearly as well ofi as Mastah Mason now. De 
Lawd bress de kind soger boys." And when we marched out 
of camp she stood by her little cabin weeping bitterly. 




I 



CHAPTER III. 

(From March 17, 1S62, to May 4, 1862.) 



Embarkation for the Peninsula— At Fortress Monroe -Incidents 
OF Camp Life— In Front of Yorktown— A. Field Hospital — 
The Intrenchments— Evacuation of Yorktown— Official Re- 
port op Siege of Yorktown— Peach Orchard and Wynn's 
Mill. 



"All quiet along the Potomac," they say, 

"Except now and then a stray picket 
Is shot as he walks on his beat to and fro' 

By a rifleman hid in the thicket; 
'Tis nothing — a private or two now and then 

Will not count in the news of the battle; 
Not an officer lost^ — only one of the men 

Moaning out, all alone, his death rattle." 

All quiet along the Potomac tonight, 

Where the soldiers lie peacefully dreaming; 
Their tents in the rays of the clear autumn moon. 

Or the lights of the watch-fires gleaming. 
A tremulous sigh as the gentle night-wind 

Through the forest leaves softly is creeping; 
While stars up above, with their glittering eyes 

Keep guard — for the army is sleeping. 

There's only the sound of the lone sentry's tread, 

As he tramps from the rock to the fountain. 
And thinks of the two in the low trundle-bed 

Far away in the cot on the mountain. 
His musket falls slack — his face dark and grim, 

Grows gentle with memories tender, 
As he mutters a prayer for the children asleep. 

For their mother — may Heaven defend her! 

The moon seems to shine just as brightly as then. 

That night, when the love yet unspoken. 
Leaped up to his lips — when the low-murmured vows 

Were pledged to be ever unbroken. 
Then drawing his sleeve roughly over his eyes, 

He dashes off tears that are welling. 
And gathers his gun closer uj) to its place, 

As if to keep down the heart-swelling. 



58 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

He passes the fountain, the blasted pine tree — 

The footstep is lagging and weary; 
Yet onward he goes, through the broad belt of light, 

Toward the shades of the forest so dreary. 
Hark! Was it the night wind that rustled the leaves? 

Was it moonlight as suddenly flashing? 
It looked like a rifle * * * "Ha! Mary, good-bye!" 

And the life-blood is ebbing and plashing. 

"All quiet along the Potomac tonight; 

No sound save the rush of the river; 
While soft falls the dew on the face of the dead — 

The picket's off duty forever!" 

CHARLES W. MacHENRY, 
Sixty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

NOTE — This popular and pathetic poem was published anonym- 
ously in 18 61, and has since been reproduced and quoted repeatedly 
in newspapers, magazines and periodicals throughout the country 
under different titles, and ascribed to different authors. Throughout 
the North it has been generally accredited to Ethel Lynn Beers, and 
in the South to Lamar Fontaine, a private in the Second Virginia 
Cavalry. It is now, however, for the first time, publicly claimed as 
the inspiration of Captain Charles W. MacHenry, of Company G, 
Sixty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers. In a letter dated Los Angeles, 
California, November 9, 1907, J. A. Young, former adjutant of this 
regiment, writes: "I remember one thing that is not generally 
known, and that is that the poem, "All Quiet Along the Potomac 
Tonight" was written by Captain MacHenry of Company G. The 
original was written by him on a fly-leaf of the roster and can be 
found in the regimental chest now stored in Washington, D. C. I did 
not see him write it, but was assured by Adjutant William McGrana- 
han that he saw Captain MacHenry write it, and that he was really 
the author." 

In a private letter dated Fort Madison, Iowa, recently received from 
Mrs. Charles W. MacHenry, she says: "I am proud to pay a tribute 
to the noblest man I ever knew (my husband) Charles W. MacHenry. 
In regard to the "Picket Guard," Charles told me he was the author. 
Captain George B. Chalmers has also assured me of the same truth, 
and I used to urge Charles to claim the authorship, but he would say, 
"Every one of my friends know I wrote it." While not wishing to 
deprive any persons of such credit as may be properly due them, it is 
simply a matter of fact and an honor due, even at this late day, to 
accord to the real author of this immortal literary gem the credit 
which is justly his. Many of his comrades in arms who saw the 
original manuscript of the poem before it appeared in print, and some 
who actually saw him when he composed it, are ready and willing to 
vouch for the fact that Captain MacHenry and no other, was the 
inspired author of this touching poem.) 

'T'HE morning of the 17th of March dawned bright and beau- 
tiful, with just enough coolness in the air to give vigor 
and make it a kixury to breathe the exhilarating atmosphere. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 59 

The birds sang" g'ail}', and all nature betokened the awakening 
of spring. 

We were formed in line on the parade grounds for the last 
time, and casting a last glance over the familiar old camp, when 
Colonel Hays, mounted on "Dan," his favorite war steed, gave 
the command, "Attention, battalion! Right face, forward; 
music, quick time. Bully for you ; march !" and we filed out of 
camp to the stirring music of our excellent drum corps, and 
Camp Johnston became a memory of the early days of the 
war. Nine hundred and eight3'-five commissioned officers and 
enlisted men left the camp. A few over loo marched back past 
the old camp September 3. 1862. 

When we reached the elevation above Hunting Creek, near 
where Fort Lyon stood, and gazed down on Alexandria, a most 
dazzling spectacle, such as is seldom seen in a lifetime, was pre- 
sented to our view. The entire plain and hillside were covered 
with armed men coming from every direction, and from whose 
bayonets the sun was reflected in m3^riads of bright scintilla- 
tions that made them glitter like diamonds. Column after 
column of infantry in blue came pouring toward a common 
centre ; to the right were great bodies of cavalry assembling, 
the sabres and equipments reflecting the sunbeams like pol- 
ished mirrors. On the left the artillery was gathering, their 
brass cannons almost dazzling the eye as they threw back the 
rays of the sun, while the large, heavy guns with their sombre 
look and dark muzzles, showed what death and destruction 
they could hurl from their black throats when occasion 
required. Still further to the left, a long blue column of men, 
flowing like a rapid river, came pouring in, from whose sur- 
faces bright gleams of light flashed as the sun caught the 
points of their bayonets. It was a scene never to be forgotten. 
The air was vocal with music, the brass bands playing at the 
heads of the regiments, while here and there the stirring notes 
of the fifes and drums added to the excitement. It was truly 
a gay pageant and calculated to fill the soul with enthusiasm. 
But alas! how few realized at the time that in the space of a 
few months nearly half of that grand army of strong, stalwart 



60 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

men, now so vigorous and hopeful, would be strewing the 
dreary peninsula with their mangled bodies or breathing their 
last in field hospitals amid the pestilential swamps. 

In the Potomac lay fully a thousand vessels of all kinds, 
each with the Stars and Stripes fluttering in the breeze. About 
noon our regiment reached the wharf at Alexandria and a por- 
tion of it was marched on board the steamer "North America." 
The other vessels were rapidly filling up with soldiers. Dur- 
ing the embarkation General McClellan and stafif rode down to 
the wharf and were greeted with deafening cheers. The 
embarkation continued until long in the night, and as soon as 
our vessel had received her quota of troops she drew out into 
the stream and anchored for the night. 

Never a fairer morning dawned than that of Tuesday, Alarch 
i8, 1862. As the sun brightened the Eastern sky, the mists 
that lay on the beautiful blue Potomac rolled away and its 
beams rested on the hundreds of flags floating in the breeze 
from the various craft lying at anchor in front of Alexandria, 
causing one to think of that well known couplet : 

"Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, 
And in glory reflected it shines on the stream." 

Soon the bright rays rest on the transports loaded down 
with soldiers, for the whole army of the Potomac, in all its 
pride and strength, is embarked on those transports going 
where, in a short time, it will meet Death in all his varied 
forms. 

Soon the notes from a band on one of the boats comes 
stealing across the water, then another and another, until the 
air is filled with the melody, and the shrill notes of fifes and 
the thunder of drums betoken that the army is awakening, and 
the quiet of the early dawn gives place to the many varied 
sounds. After a hasty breakfast the boys crowded to the upper 
decks to view the scene. At 10 o'clock our steamer lifted her 
anchor, and turning her bow down stream, we were off on our 
long journey. It was a grand sight as steamer after steamer, 
loaded down to the guards with soldiers, pulled out from their 
anchorage and joined the mighty procession down the historic 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 61 

Poton.iac. The men, after having been cooped up in their little 
uncomfortable quarters in muddy camps all winter, were like 
schoolboys out for a holiday, and cheered and sang and 
laughed. The bands kept up delightful music, the sun shone 
out bright and warm, the sky was a most beautiful blue, and 
all nature seemed as bright as it possibly could be. 

Soon we passed the historic Mount Vernon, where the 
remains of the Father of his Country repose, and it was noticed 
that as we passed by the soldiers became silent, the noisy 
laughter ceased, and a reverential silence seemed to settle 
down upon all until we had passed out of sight of the place. 

Near here, on the left bank of the river, lay General Sickles 
with his command. They cheered us loudly as we passed, and 
a battery on the river bank kept firing salutes until all the 
vessels had gone by. 

We soon passed Aquia Creek, where the rebels had erected 
some strong fortifications and during the winter had kept a 
strict blockade which was very annoying to the people of 
Washington and Alexandria. When the rebel army fell back 
from IManassas, the rebels set fire to these fortifications and 
the works were still smoking when we passed them. 

The Potomac rapidly widens below Aquia Creek and 
becomes a noble stream. When night came, orders were given 
to the men to fill their canteens, as it would be the last chance 
to obtain fresh water until we landed, for the transports did 
not carry any. Some of us neglected to do this and in the 
morning went to the forward deck of the vessel and pumping 
a tinful, tried to take a drink. It was a complete failure, and 
we realized for the first time how nauseating sea water tasted. 

The shores on either side were now faintly visible and it was 
not long until we were entirely out of sight of land and real- 
ized that we were afloat on the "boundless sea." 

Next morning was the reverse of the preceding one. It was 
dark and gloomy with a cold wind, which soon caused the 
waves to swell, the vessel began to pitch and toss at a lively 
rate, and it was not long until we began to feel a curious sen- 



62 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

sation in our stomachs and, without knowing what was the 
matter, we were in the throes of sea sickness. 

In Company C was a harum-scarum fellow called "Sailor 
Jack," from the fact that he had been a sailor for several years 
before he joined the army. Of course he was not afflicted 
with sea sickness, but took delight in tormenting his suffering 
comrades, advising them to eat a chunk of nice, fat pork. This 
was enough, and with bitter curses at him they rushed to the 
side of the boat and continued to cast up their accounts into 
the sea. 

As we passed farther down the bay it grew rougher. Dur- 
ing the afternoon, in the west and south heavy banks of clouds 
were observed, slowly rolling up and soon the bright gleams of 
lightning and the distant booming of thunder gave notice that 
a heavy thunderstorm would soon add its terrors to the scene. 

Just as the dusky shadows of night were closing down, we 
came in sight of Fortress Monroe and were indeed glad that 
we should soon feel the substantial earth again beneath our 
feet. We all had enough of ocean travel. Our transport was 
well in the lead of the fieet, and we were among the first to 
land. Many of the others could not land on account of the 
roughness of the sea, and were compelled to anchor some dis- 
tance from land, where they tossed and rolled and strained at 
their anchors in a way that must have been agonizing to those 
on board. 

After we had landed and were standing on the beach wait- 
ing for orders, a most unpitying storm of wind and rain, 
accompanied with vivid lightning and terrible thunder, broke 
over us. We had no shelter of any kind, but huddled in 
groups we stood amid the fearful downpour, and in a few 
minutes were soaked to the skin, the water streaming from us 
in torrents. A soldier can stand hunger and thirst with toler- 
able patience ; he can stand cold and weariness well, but there 
is nothing so trying or that makes him so cross as to have 
to stand in the rain without any shelter. All the old soldiers 
can testify the truth of this, and as we huddled on the storm- 
swept beach on that dreary Alarch night, amid the pelting of 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 63 

that pitiless storm, the men grumbled and growled most 
volubly. 

After cowering thus in the tempest for about two hours, 
orders came from the commanding officer of Fortress Monroe, 
to march the men across the neck of land toward Hampton 
and find encampment for the night. So in the darkness, with 
the awful storm beating in our faces, and nothing to light our 
way but the terrible leashing of the lightning, wet, cold and 
miserable, we were marched over a mile into an open field 
where, without fire, or tents, and over ankle deep in water, 
we were told to shift for ourselves until morning. And there 
on that open moor, under the pelting of the storm, we pre- 
pared to pass a most cheerless night. By this time the men 
were too miserable to grumble and swear, and the gloomy 
silence settled down upon us like a pall. As we stood in our 
drenched clothes, we thought of the warm, comfortable homes 
we had left and contrasted our condition with that of those 
whom we had left there. Dreadful indeed would have been 
our sufferings if we had been compelled to remain there all 
through that dismal and storm-swept night, but relief came 
when we had least hoped for it. 

The Sixteenth Massachusetts Regiment was encamped 
about three-fourths of a mile from the place where we had 
been halted. Some of the men of that regiment had been on 
guard near where we were, and when they were relieved, 
returned to camp and reported our forlorn condition to their 
comrades and they, with the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, 
whose camp adjoined, came promptly to our relief. They con- 
ducted us to their camps where room was made for us in their 
quarters and stables. Having gotten us under shelter, they 
came with large kettles of steaming hot cofifee, which was a 
God-send to the shivering, drenched wretches, and of which 
we all partook with true thankfulness. 'J'his action was the 
real sympathy of true soldiers towards their companions in 
arms. Without the kindness of these men, great indeed would 
have been our sufferings that wretched night, many would 
have been taken to the rear or left in the hospitals to suffer 



64 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

and die. Indeed, many a poor fellow while exposed to the 
storm that night, contracted the seeds of disease that ended 
his life before many months had gone by. The kindness of 
these Massachusetts soldiers touched us deeply and we never 
forgot it ; and to this day not a survivor of the old Sixty-third 
but has a warm place in his heart for the Sixteenth Massachu- 
setts and the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry. 

The morning after our arrival at Fortress Monroe dawned 
bright and cheerful, we were now in a new land and every- 
thing was interesting to us, as we were in a portion of Virginia 
of deep historical interest. 

Our tents and camp equipage arrived from the steamer, and 
we bade our hospitable friends good-bye with many hearty 
thanks, and moving out a short distance, pitched our tents 
on the border of a wide plain near an inlet of the bay. 

The boys soon discovered that the marshy coast was full of 
clams, and in a short time everybody was busy digging the 
bivalves from their native mud and roasting great quantities 
in huge fires built along the shore. 

We remained in this camp five days. We had reached Fort- 
ress Monroe a few days after the famous fight between the 
ironclads Merrimac and Monitor, and all the soldiers were full 
of talk about it and everyone had his own way of describ- 
ing it. 

It was a gay scene that greeted our eyes the morning 
after our arrival. The storm had spent its force, and the sun 
shone with unusual brilliancy; hundreds of vessels were lying 
in the bay at anchor, while numberless small boats were dart- 
ing here and there from vessel to vessel and between the ves- 
sels and the shore, making an ever-changing picture that, to 
the eyes of those not used to such scenes, was wonderful. 
While we lay here the rest of the army of the Potomac dis- 
embarked and the stores, horses and artillery were unloaded. 

The weather was truly delightful, and whenever we could 
get away from our regular duties, we spent the time strolling 
along the beach picking up small shells and curiously colored 
pebbles. 



STORY OP THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 65 

On Monday morning, IMarch 24th, orders were given to 
strike tents and march. We hastily packed up our belongings, 
and in a short time our entire division, then under command 
of General Hamilton, took up the line of march. We passed 
through the town of Hampton, and advancing a short distance 
beyond, went into camp on a large level tract of land known as 
"Hampton Plain." 

The town of "Old Hampton" deserves a passing notice. It 
lay two miles from the fort, and when we passed through it 
was in ruins. Every house had been destroyed, and nothing 
remained but the naked walls of what had at one time been 
the seat of wealth and fashion, as many of the first families 
of Virginia resided here and it was rich in historic legends. 

At the time Hampton was burned. General Ben Butler was 
in command of Fortress Monroe and, as the Union lines were 
extended, most of the inhabitants of Hampton fled to Rich- 
mond. After the battle of Great Bethel, Butler withdrew the 
men from beyond the creek. To prevent the Union men from 
using the town as winter quarters, General Magruder sent loo 
men from Yorktown to destroy the place. They came quietly 
to Hampton in the evening and shortly after the cry of "fire" 
was ringing on every side. Every house, church and building 
were vomiting forth flames, and a cowering, shivering and 
weeping throng of old men, women and children, were gath- 
ered on the plain, not knowing what to do or where to go. All 
their household goods were destroyed, and thus in an hour 
were scattered the families of the beautiful town, which was 
now a smoking heap of ruins. 

We were now encamped in a beautiful place, the ground for 
miles around was level as a floor. The weather continued fine, 
and every day there were brigade drills and sometimes the 
entire division was put through many evolutions. The boys 
were well pleased with the place and wrote some glowing 
letters home. 

Of the correspondents among the soldiers there were two 
classes, which may be called the optimists and the pessimists. 
The first class would write most encouraging letter home to 



66 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

their families, telling them only of the bright side of a soldier's 
life, saying nothing of the privations or hardships, and would 
thus cheer and encourage their wives and parents. The second 
class would write most doleful Jeremiads, whining and com- 
plaining of the bitterness of their lot, exaggerating every 
trifling trouble, and giving a most doleful picture of the sor- 
rows of a soldier's life, making babyish complaints about their 
sufferings and hardships, until their poor wives were almost 
distracted. There was a young man known as Polk McCul- 
lough, of Company A, who was raised by his uncle. Captain 
James McCullough, of near Monroeville. He was only a boy 
when he enlisted and was strongly advised not to join as 
we did not think he could stand the privations of a soldier's 
life, but we were never more mistaken as Polk served out his 
three years' enlistment and then re-enlisted and served until 
the surrender at Appomattox. He never missed a battle or a 
day's service, but once, when he was sick for a short time, and 
was as brave a boy as ever wore the blue of a soldier. Always 
cheerful and jolly, he was the life of the company. Colonel 
Hays thought a great deal of him and nicknamed him ''Old 
Barefoot," from the fact that in the summertime, when Polk's 
shoes gave out, he would not draw a new pair but would run 
barefooted until the officers would compel him to put on foot- 
wear. Once, when he was detailed for guard duty on the fol- 
lowing day, Polk was, as usual, shoeless, and had he told the 
sergeant he would have been excused. Now, when a soldier 
was detailed for guard duty, he was expected to brush up, 
brighten his accoutrements, have his gun thoroughly clean 
and his shoes blacked. When the detail got ready in the 
morning, Polk cleaned himself up properly and then taking 
the blacking and brush, rolled up his trousers nearly to his 
knees, and then blacked and polished his feet and legs until 
they shone. When the detail went over on the guard line to 
be inspected, many of us went along to see how Polk would 
fare. The officer of the guard was a peppery little German, as 
consequential as a bantam rooster. When he came down the 
line of guards inspecting them, he stopped at Polk and gazed 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 67 

on him in astonishment. Polk stood gazing out before him 
without the motion of a muscle. After looking at him for a 
short time, the officer blurted out : 

"Vat you doing here?"' 

"Serving my country," answered Polk solemnly. 

"Vere is your shoes?" 

"Haven't got any," said Polk. 

"Veil, you gets to your quarters, and after de guart mount 
I'll 'tend to you." 

Polk threw his gun on his shoulder and, as he turned care- 
lessly on his heel, remarked in his peculiar drawl : 

"Well, I suppose a man will have to wear kid gloves in this 
regiment to kill rebels, according to the tactics." 

The officer hurried down to the Colonel's quarters and 
reported Polk for insubordination. The Colonel heard him 
attentively and answered : 

"Well, that's Old Barefoot ; let him alone, he is too good a 
soldier to punish just because he wants to go barefooted." 

Polk had a chum, John Haymaker, and they made a team, 
two regular dare-devils that feared nothing and would venture 
on all kinds of dangerous exploits. 

These were merry days while we lay encamped on the plains 
of Hampton. In fact they were the gala days of the Army of 
the Potomac. After being cooped up all through the winter in 
the miserable, muddy camps, amid the bleak and dreary hills 
of that portion of Virginia where everything was desolate and 
uninviting, we appeared to have been suddenly transported to 
a most beautiful country in the glowing springtime, where 
the fields were in brilliant green, where the sun was bright 
and warm, and all nature seemed to rejoice. The soldiers 
resembled a lot of emancipated schoolboys out for a holiday, 
more than men whose business was to kill, or be killed. 

The skirmish drill was always an interesting sight and on 
these level grounds there was plenty of room to indulge in it, 
and our regiment became expert, and the boys were proud of 
it. Our regiment was armed with the Spencer repeating rifles 
in 1864. How pleased the boys were to exchange the old 



68 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

Austrian muzzle loaders for the repeating Spencer, but in a 
short time they discovered that with these new repeating 
rifles had come something else not bargained for, as at every 
engagement came the order, "Spencers to the front!" and they 
found that their place was on the skirmish line much more 
often than was agreeable. 

In every direction the roads were crowded with troops 
marching to their encampments, thousands of flags fluttering 
in the breeze, the air filled with martial music. It was a scene 
calculated to call forth all the enthusiasm in one's veins and to 
make the veriest coward feel brave. There were over six 
thousand wagons and ambulances connected with the army, 
and the number of horses and mules were estimated at forty- 
five thousand. 

The army mule deserves a passing notice. Mules are pecul- 
iar creatures, and there is something ludicrous about them. 
The army nmle has the most solemn countenance and con- 
tains more cussedness to the square inch than any other living 
creature. In civil life the mule is easily managed, but as soon 
as he belongs to the army his character changes and his whole 
being seems given over to depravity and general devilish- 
ness. 

It was as good as a circus to see a teamster hitch up his 
mul \s in the morning, and everybody enjoyed the sight save 
the teamster, especially when the mules made up their minds 
not to be hitched, and men who never swore before would 
give way to the wildest profanity, and it was a common sight 
to see a teamster limp away rubbing himself on account of a 
severe kick from a mule, and at the same time hurling back 
terrible curses at the offender. One of our teamsters, Jim 
McManus, used to solemnly declare that he had a mule who 
could kick him while he was tying the hamestring. 

Often, after a long day's march, when tired and sleepy, we 
threw ourselves on the ground to catch a few hours of needed 
sleep, as if by a preconcerted arrangement all the mules in the 
division would decide to hold a concert for the benefit of the 
soldiers, and that would end the sleep for that night. One loud 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 69 

voiced chap would start in with a baritone solo which would 
soon be a duet, then a trio, would become a quartet, and again 
would become a grand chorus which would send the men into 
paroxysms of profanity. Sometimes an angry soldier would 
seize a club and rush up to where a number were carrying on 
a full mule opera, and belabor them, but a few vigorous 
applications of their heels soon convinced him that he was 
simply an intruder in a family amusement, and he would retire 
limping, while they would burst forth in a louder and grander 
song of triumph than ever. The}' had a hard life of it, poorly 
fed, and almost worked to death, but they often had their 
revenge. Sometimes a number of them would get loose during 
the night, and then there was fun for the mules. Over the 
tents they would rush, getting entangled in the tent ropes, and 
then kick everything to pieces until they got clear again and 
arousing the entire division. Speaking of mules, W. H. Mor- 
row, of Company A, tells the following: 

'T want to tell of the greatest scare I got during my whole 
course of soldier life. I was often scared while in the army, in 
fact I never went into a fight that I was not scared, but this 
particular scare was one of the meanest and one of the most 
humiliating kind, and was caused by a mule. It was in July, 
1862, just after we had reached Harrison's Landing, on the 
James River. Our army had just finished the terrible seven 
days' battles and had emerged bruised and battered from the 
dismal swamps where we had fought every day and retreated 
each night. We had lost our blankets, shelter tents, and in 
fact all our camp equipage, and our nerves were strung up to 
their highest tension. A couple of da3-s after we arrived it 
commenced to rain. In the evening I was seeking some kind 
of shelter when I saw a teamster drive into the upper end of 
camp and unhitch his mules. It was forbidden to sleep in any 
of the wagons, so I kept out of sight until the driver, after 
tying his mules to the front part of the wagon, went down to 
camp. Now was my chance, so crawling into the rear I crept 
forward and lay down with my head close up to the forward 
end. As I lay and listened to the rain pattering on the canvas 



70 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

co\ering-, such a delightful sense of comfort stole over me as 
I have very seldom experienced, and I was soon sleeping pro- 
foundly. Some time during the night one of the mules thrust 
his head in under the cover and his mouth could not have been 
more than six inches from my face when he began to bray 
in a most unearthly manner. How I got out of that wagon I 
never knew, but I do know that I was at least twenty feet 
behind it when I awoke running. I often made good time 
when on the retreat with the yelling rebels coming on behind, 
but my running this time was the best I ever performed. I 
cast hurried glances from side to side and over my shoulder 
to see if the thing was after me, but when I noticed that camp 
Avas still and quiet and I appeared to be the only scared thing 
in it. I began to check up and at last stood still and gazed 
around. Just then another mule, in another part of the camp, 
began a song, and the truth struck me. I sneaked quietly 
back and crept into the wagon again, but my fright had ban- 
ished all desire to sleep any more that night. I kept very 
quiet about it, as I knew if the boys got hold of the story I 
would never hear the last of it." 

A\ hile there were some noble, humane and self-sacrificing 
physicians in the army, who were an ornament to the class 
and a God-send to the poor, broken down, fever-stricken or 
wounded soldiers, unfortunately they formed a minority to the 
unskilled quacks whose ignorance and brutality made them 
objects of detestation to the soldier. Many of these fellows, 
if compelled to depend upon their profession in civil life, would 
have starved, but having, through the influence of political 
friends, been appointed army surgeons, as soon as they donned 
the soldier straps, blossomed out into miserable tyrants. 
Brutal, as well as ignorant and careless of the poor soldiers 
placed in their care, they helped to fill many graves where 
our army marched. 

Once, while our regiment lay near Alexandria, one of the 
cooks of Company D was severely scalded one night while 
cooking rations for the company to go on picket the next day, 
by upsetting a kettle of boiling water over his legs. He was 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 71 

carried into his tent and someone ran to the doctor's quarters 
and asked him to come and dress the man's injuries. It was 
a cold, disagreeable night and the doctor was comfortable in 
bed and refused to get v:p, giving this heartless answer: 

"He won't die before morning and I'm not going to get out 
in the cold night for any d — d soldier in the army." 

But he did, oh yes, Colonel Hays was told of the matter, 
and in a few minutes a file of men marched the doctor to where 
the injured man was, and after his hurts were dressed, the 
Colonel gave that doctor such a lecture as he would likely 
never forget, and then put him under arrest for a week. 

Colonel Hays, though one of the strictest disciplinarians in 
the army, had a heart as tender as a woman's, and would not 
permit any wrong or injury to be perpetrated on the poorest 
soldier in the regiment. 

After awhile, w^hen a large number of these would-be doc- 
tors had been kicked out of the army, the service improved. 

Our first surgeon was Dr. John Crawford, of Kittanning, 
who was one of God's noblemen. A skillful physician, a true 
gentleman and a genuine Christian, all the soldiers loved him. 
Soon after joining us he was promoted to brigade surgeon and 
died during the penisula campaign. His death was a heavy 
blow to the service. We had a number of other doctors, some 
good, some middling, and some worthless. 

On Thursday, A])ril 3rd, we were ordered to get ready to 
march and we now knew it was "on to Richmond." The next 
morning wc left the beautiful camp at Hampton, and to the 
merry tones of fife and drum, stepped out gaily from one of the 
most pleasant camping ground we had yet occupied. 

The morning was beautiful, the sun shone with splendor 
and nature had put on one of her gayest moods, but these 
moods were very uncertain ; one day it would be most delight- 
ful weather and in a few hours it might be storming and rain- 
ing furiously. We took the road toward Yorktown, and about 
noon passed Big Bethel, some ten miles from Fortress Monroe, 
where a disastrous fight had taken place on the loth of June, 
1861, between a body of rebels and a body of Union troops 



73 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

under command of General Pierce, of Massachusetts, in which 
the Union men were defeated and the gallant Major Winthrop 
was killed. To make the disaster worse, our men had fired 
into each other by mistake. 

The rebels had encampments at Little Bethel, but withdrew 
as we approached, and joined the main force at Yorktown. A 
number of brush shanties marked the place where they had 
encamped. 

Passing Big Bethel, we proceeded about four miles further 
and encamped for the night. After crossing Big Bethel Creek, 
the aspect of the country changed, it became broken and hilly, 
the hills being mostly covered with scraggy pines and cedars, 
and the land appeared very poor. It had become impoverished 
from the raising of continuous crops of tobacco until almost 
worthless. As soon as these worn-out tobacco lands are 
allowed to lie vacant, they begin to send out a growth of pines 
as though nature was making an effort to restore the fertility 
that man has destroyed. It was a common sight to see a 
dense growth of pine on one side of the road and a forest of 
oak, maple and chestnut trees on the other, and not a pine 
among them. 

Along the small streams and creeks, the ground abounded 
in swamps, which extended quite a distance on either side, 
houses were few and far between, and it was a dreary, desolate 
looking country and bore all the ear-marks of the curse of 
slavery. 

We encamped on a plantation owned by a man named 
Russell. It was a beautiful place, a gem in the wilderness, the 
house was a typical southern mansion, large, roomy, and with 
a wide veranda extending clear around it, beautiful ornamental 
trees and shrubbery encircled it, with hundreds of beautiful 
rose bushes in the large yards. The owner was an out-and-out 
old Virginia aristocrat, a regular F. F. V., and if looks could 
have destroyed an army, we would all have been swept away. 
He was very indignant that Northern "mudsills" should dare 
to encamp on his premises, but when the boys began to burn 
his fences for fuel to cook their suppers, his fury became too 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 73 

great for utterance and he retired into the house and did not 
show himself again while we remained. Pie owned a large 
number of slaves, among whom were a number of most beauti- 
ful octoroon girls, which recalls a funny incident: 

Ben Butterfield was a member of Company B, as was also 
a good humored Dutchman named Springer. Ben had been 
down about the Russell place and when he came back to the 
company, said he had seen "quite a number of Creoles" (mean- 
ing octoroons). When Springer heard it he shouldered his 
gun and started for the place. After awhile he returned and 
said : 

"Ben, I vas all arount dare und I didn't see a plame one of 
dem owls." 

"What owls?" enquired Ben. 

"Vy, dem cree owls, vat you said you seen down dare." 

He thought when Ben said he had seen Creoles he meant 
some kind of birds, and had gone out to shoot some of them. 

Near the road where the head of our regiment lay, stood a 
small cabin, the dwelling of some of those unfortunates known 
in the South as poor whites, who are considered by the wealthy 
planters as lower than the negroes — in fact the slaves regarded 
them with contempt, calling them "white trash." Their condi- 
tion was truly worse than the slaves, for they often suffered 
for the necessaries of life while the slave was sure of his living. 
These men were poor, shiftless, lazy creatures, who depended 
upon what odd jobs they could get, while the women were 
generally slattern and careless creatures, inveterate users of 
tobacco, mostly in the form of snuff, and could bite a chew 
off a plug and masticate it with the skill of a veteran. While 
we were at Accotink, a vety pretty girl, but dressed very 
slatternly, came out on the porch and said : 

"Say, mister, have you any tobacco?" 

We happened to be in luck just then and handed her a pli:g. 
She bit oft' a generous chunk and handing back the remainder, 
went into the house without another word. 

The husband of the woman who lived in this cabin, was in 
the rebel army, and when the poor creature saw our army 



74 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

going to where he was serving, she wept bitterly. Among the 
many painful scenes witnessed during the war none comes 
back with more vividness than that pale, hollow-eyed woman 
surrounded by her band of little ragged, white-headed children 
holding to her skirts, as she stood in her door weeping as she 
thought of the danger of her 'husband in the coming struggle, 
and we often wondered if he lived to return to that frightened 
little flock again, or if his bones are rotting on some of those 
dreadful battlefields of Virginia. 

Some of our men talked to her and heard her say that her 
husband was opposed to the war and did not want to go, but 
had been forced into the service. She was miserably poor, and 
to the honor of our boys, they treated her with much respect 
and kindness and divided their rations with her and her little 
ones, giving her cofTee, sugar, crackers and meat, until she 
had received quite a supply of provisions, enough to last many 
days. She could not understand why the men who were on 
their w^ay to kill her husband, should be so kind to her, and 
as she murmured her thanks she said : 

"You uns are mighty curious people." 

We camped on the Russell farm during the night and lay 
beside the road leading to Yorktown. Shortly after dark one 
of those drizzling, continuous rains, so freq.uent in that section 
of the country, set in and continued all night. The weather 
became quite chilly, but we had plenty of fuel for our camp 
fires in the shape of fence rails belonging to the old rebel Rus- 
sell's farm, and the boys did not spare them. Early in the 
morning the bugle called the tired and hungry men to their 
feet and they straggled out, and oh, how' cross and ill-natured 
they were, ready to fight with their shadows, yet eager for 
their scanty breakfast of hard tack and coffee. A number of 
the boys of Company A had two rails parallel with each other, 
and filling the place between with sprigs and splinters, placed 
their tin cups over the fire kindled there. Just as the cofifee 
began to boil, Polk McCullough came along and either through 
accident or from mischief, hit one of the rails a kick, and over 
went all the cofifee into the fire. Then there was trouble, and 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 75 

the profanity was picturesque. I^olk took to his heels, piid 
well for liini that he did or the angry boys would have nearly 
killed him. ^ About 9 o'clock we fell into line and took up the 
march. It continued drizzling- all day and the ground was 
soaked, which rendered marching very heavy and unpleasant. 
The country through which we were passing was very poor 
and desolate looking, and appeared to be unfavorable for farm- 
ing. About 4 o'clock we ascended a long hill, having heard 
cannonading for some time before reaching the top, and sup- 
posed that a battle was in progress, consequently we hurried 
on as fast as possible, soon reaching the summit, and there, 
before us, lay Yorktown. The firing was from some batteries 
that had gained the foot of the hill and were throwing shells 
into the rebel breastworks at Yorktown. The rebels answered 
promptly, and sent their compliments over in the shape of 
solid shot and shell. Our brigade marched down the hill and 
took position in a bleak field behind a woods where we were 
separated a short distance from the enemy. The artillery 
stopped their firing, but every now and then the Johnnies would 
throw a shell into our lines which would cause a scamper 
among the boys. We were face to face with the enemy and 
expected to engage in a furious struggle in the morning. 

As the shades of night settled down upon our army as it lay 
encamped before Yorktown on that memorable Saturday, 
April 5, 1862. there were evidences that the men felt the 
solemnity of the occasion. For the first time since we had 
become soldiers were we brought, as it were, face to face with 
the enemy, and all felt sure that on the morrow a desperate 
battle would take place between the Union and rebel armies 
and all knew that the conflict would be a bloody one, and when 
at dark Dr. Crawford, our brigade surgeon, rode into camp 
and asked Colonel Hays to send the brass band to hospital 
quarters to act as stretcher carriers for 1)ringing in the 
wounded, it did not tend to raise the spirits of the men. It 
was also noticed that the boys did not indulge in the usual 
sky-larking and funny antics that they generally did every 
evening in camp during pleasant weather, but were disposed 



76 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

to gather in groups and discuss the probabilities of the fight 
next day. There were no cowardly feelings exhibited, but 
this would be our first battle and it caused a solemn feeling 
which was not real fear. , 

On our left lay a dense woods beyond which were strong 
entrenchments of rebels ; on our right another heavy tract of 
timberland full of swamps and ponds ; on our front, beyond a 
rise of ground, lay Yorktown within three lines of strong 
fortifications. Those good people who remained at home to 
criticise the manner in which the war was conducted, have 
repeatedly declared that the great mistake of the war was that 
the Army of the Potomac did not at once storm the rebel 
works at Yorktown, which they could have easily taken. 

Well, we might have taken them, but it would have been at 
a terrible loss of life, anyone seeing the formidable earthworks 
would realize this. 

The rebels evidently expected an attack in the morning and 
were on the "qui vive." All through the night at regular inter- 
vals some of their heavy guns would send a ponderous shell 
or solid round shot into our camps to inform us that they were 
on the alert, which greatly interfered with the slumbers of the 
boys. But the long night passed at last and the morning was 
beautiful, a typical spring Sabbath. Almost the first object 
that met our gaze was the huge war balloon of Professor 
Lowe that accompanied the army, at a considerable height, 
and glistened in the rays of the rising sun like a ball of silver 
suspended in the air. 

The camp fires were lighted and breakfast was hurriedly 
cooked and eaten, but no preparations for battle were visible, 
and it would seem apparent that there would be no fight that 
day. 

We lay in front of Yorktown for thirty days, and of this 
number it stormed and rained twenty, and all this time the 
boys worked incessantly digging rifle pits and casting up 
entrenchments. 

A short distance in front of our regiment there was an open 
place through the woods to the left, where we had a view of 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 77 

a rebel tort on the hill about three-fourths of a mile away. The 
boys began to gather at this place to look at the fort when, 
without any warning, a shell from the Johnnies came crashing 
into the midst of them, causing a sudden stampede. It is need- 
less to say that we lost all interest in this rebel fortification 
for the time being. 

Half a mile from where our regiment first encamped, and 
near to where some heavy earthworks were being made, was 
the spot where tradition said that Lord Cornwallis surrendered 
to General Washington on October 19, 1781. A large flat rock 
marked the place of surrender, and some of the old lines of 
entrenchment were yet visible. Standing at this historic spot, 
one was led to reflect on what strange things occur in history. 
Here were two armies composed of men whose forefathers 
had stood at this same spot and felt their pulses thrill with joy 
as they beheld the enemy march out of their intrenchments 
and lay down their arms in token of surrender, and could feel 
that they were a free people, united in the bonds that had been 
purchased with privation, suffering and blood, and now here 
were assembled their descendants, members of the same fam- 
ily, with the same common interests, arrayed against each 
other in a deadly strife. Truly it was an unnatural war. 

The first Sunday evening before Yorktown Colonel Hays 
held dress parade, and as the enemy was in hearing distance, 
he ordered the band to play the "Star Spangled Banner," and 
"Yankee Doodle," in order to annoy them and ruffle up their 
feelings. He succeeded beyond his expectations, for by the 
time the parade was dismissed the Johnnies sent us their com- 
pliments in the shape of some shells that stopped any more 
dress parade or playing exasperating tunes while we lay in 
that camp. 

It was found that our camp was too close to the rebel lines 
for comfort, as they had a habit of dropping their shells 
amongst us without any notification; so in a few days we 
moved further to the right and encamped in a dense, swampy 
woods, a most uncomfortable and undesirable position. Here 
we made our first acquaintance with that pest peculiar to the 



78 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

timberlands of the south, the Virginia wood-tick, a miserable 
vermin that caused much profanity among the boys. They 
were about the size of a bed bug and bore a striking resem- 
blance to that pest. They quietly secured a permanent abiding 
place on one's person and at once proceeded to bleed him. 
They would penetrate some distance into his flesh and remain 
there, gorging themselves until they became distended with 
blood, but unlike a leech, they did not drop off when full, but 
remained sticking in the wound. If we attempted to pull one 
away the head would come off in the flesh and cause a fester- 
ing sore. 

On Monday, April 7th, it began to rain and continued to 
pour down incessantly until the nth. On Wednesday four 
companies of the regiment started out on a reconnoisance and 
soon came upon a nest of rebels who opened fire on them. 
Our boys returned the fire. Sergeant David Irwin, of Com- 
pany F, was killed, and our men returned to camp. 

The hard work of our army now began, and the long delay, 
exposure and fatigue in these fever-laden swamps soon began 
to tell on the man unused to such a climate ; hospitals filled 
up and the men lost that buoyancy and hopefulness they pos- 
sessed when he started out so gaily from Hampton. The 
whole country was a vast bog, ponds of water lying in every 
direction. 

Day and night there was a succession of storm, thunder and 
lightning, while the rain fell in torrents. The soldiers on duty 
had to endure all this. Often at night, being rushed out to the 
front at the double quick, when, heated and perspiring, they 
were made to lie down on the water-soaked ground until after 
becoming chilled to the bone, they were brought back to camp 
wearied and feverish. Soon an apathy would creep over them 
like a paralysis and in a few days more, all the symptoms of 
typhoid fever would be developed and they would be carried 
to a hospital, usually a rough pen made from saplings, where 
without careful nursing and any of the comforts of home, they 
tossed and moaned in the delirium of the deadl}'- fever until, 
wrapped in a blanket, they were carried out and committed to 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 79 

the earth, their soldiering forever ended. We have thus dwelt 
rather long on this gloomy picture which is not overdrawn, 
to show what our boys had to endure during those never-to-be- 
forgotten days of the siege of Yorktown. 

On Thursday night, .April loth, several of our companions 
went out to within a short distance of the rebel fortifications 
and dug some rifie pits, in which they remained the rest of 
the night. Unfortunate!}', they remained too long in them, and 
when morning broke they could not get away as the rebels, 
knowing by some means that they were there, kept a careful 
surveillance on their hiding places, and as soon as a head 
appeared above the edge of the pit it became the target for 
dozens of guns from the rebel works. All da}' the boys had to 
remain in the holes, and as it was very hot and the boys had 
neither water nor rations, they suffered greatly. Towards 
evening it was seen that the Johnnies were about to make a 
charge and would likely capture all in the rifle pits. It became 
necessary, therefore, to get out of that and to get out quickly, 
consequently we hastily scrambled out and ran. We emerged 
from that locality swapping time for distance, making many a 
step to the minute, but comparatively few to the mile. The 
enemy gave us a volley which killed a man named Eliphalet 
Crow, of Company K, and one of Company A named Joe 
Thompson. 

On our way back to camp we were met by a section of a 
battery which opened on the rebs and checked pursuit. We 
carried our dead comrades back to camp, and with sad hearts, 
laid them away. Thompson was the first man killed in Com- 
pany A, and for a time it cast a gloom over the boys. He was 
a noble fellow and a brave soldier. 

This incident recalls a remark made by Colonel Hays that 
night, while standing with a number of other officers by a 
camp fire. The conversation was about the late skirmish and 
the death of our comrades. During the talk Colonel Hays 
made the remark : 

"If I should be killed during the war, I want to be killed 
right at the head of the Sixty-third Regiment." 



80 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

This was in April, 1862, and on Alay 5, 1864, after he had 
been promoted to Brigadier General and we were engaged in a 
bloody fight in the Wilderness, he rode down the line with his 
staff, and stopped at the head of his old regiment, as he most 
always did, to cay a few words to the boys. He ordered Cap- 
tain Nesbitt, of Company B, to deploy his company and 
advance in skirmish line to the front in order to develop the 
enemy's position. Just after giving this order a rebel bullet 
struck him in the forehead and he fell just where he said he 
wished to be killed on that gloomy night by the camp-fire 
at Yorktown two years before. 

Of this engagement at Peach Orchard and Wynn's Mills, 
Colonel Hays made the following report : 

Camp Harper, near Yorktown, Va., 
First Brigade, Hamilton's Division, 

April 12tli, 1862. 
Capt. R. M. Sawyer, 

Assist. Adj't. General: 

Sir: — For the information of the Brigadier General commanding 
the division, I have the honor to submit the following statement of 
the operations of the Sixty-third Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers: 

The regiment, numbering for duty, eight hundred and fifty men, 
was detailed on the evening of the 10th inst., for picquet duty, along 
the lines of the fortifications, guarding the approaches to Yorktown. 

The night was passed without any material demonstration from 
either side. On the 11th inst., however, an attack was made by the 
rebels upon our advanced picquets, from a rifle pit opposite the 
centre of our line. The line was very judiciously retired into the 
woods, of which the enemy, taking advantage, left their cover and 
advanced. Our men at once drove them back, with what result upon 
their side I am unable to say, but with a loss on our part of Private 
Crow, of Company K, killed. 

About 3 o'clock p. m. another attack was made upon the centre of 
the left wing, directly opposite the extreme work of the enemy, on 
the right. They were three times repulsed, but succeeded in firing 
a farm house, barn and outhouses, lying between the two lines. The 
enemy's loss is certainly severe at this point. I am happy to report 
that no one of ours was even wounded. After their repulse I became 
satisfied from their movements that they designed making another 
attack upon our right. Brigadier General Jameson coming up with 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 81 

the remaining regiments of his brigade, I communicated to him my 
opinion, when he immediately ordered the Fifty-seventh Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers to the support of our right wing, commanded by 
Lieutenant Colonel Morgan. Very soon my opinion was confirmed, 
by firing, the Fifty-seventh was rapidly deployed into the woods, 
and supporting the picquet line, opposite the fort, on our extreme 
right, the firing became successive and effectual. 

The picquet line at this point is about 1,500 yards from the 
(rebel) fortifications, and midway between a line of rifle pits have 
been dug, from which our men continually annoyed the enemy. The 
enemy deployed a strong force from their work, which drove our 
riflemen from the pits, and enabled them to advance to our lines, 
burning a house and other buildings. They were soon repulsed, with 
what loss I am endeavoring to ascertain. On our side the loss was 
only one killed — Private Joseph Thompson, Company A — and two 
privates wounded. 

I regret the length of this communication, but cannot omit to 
testify to the gallant bearing of my brother-in-arms, Charles Camp- 
bell, and the steadiness and discipline of his regiment — the Fifty- 
seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

My own officers and men have justified my most sanguine antici- 
pations. Lieutenant Colonel Morgan, Adjutant Corts, Captains Kirk- 
wcod, Hanna and McClellan demand espetial notice. 

Respectfully submitted, 

ALEXANDER HAYS, 
Col. 63rd Regt., Pa. Vols. 

Thus the month wore away and our works approached com- 
pletion. It was expected that as soon as they were finished 
the grand assault would take place and a notable battle would 
be fought. By the close of the month, owing to the long con- 
tinued wet weather and the exposure in the rifle pits and heavy 
fatigue duty, the hospitals were full of sick; typhoid fever in 
its most malignant form prevailed, and the mortality was 
great. The boys were becoming discouraged, they had 
enlisted to fight the enemy, not to lie in our swamps and see 
the grand army melting away from sickness. The news- 
papers, too, were saying unkind things about the Army of the 
Potomac. All these things worried the soldiers and added to 
their discontent, so that all were praying for a move and some 
active service ; we had become heartsick of lying in these fever 



82 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

laden swamps, drinking" stagnant water and drenched to the 
skin nearly every day. 

At length McClellan had completed all his plans for the 
assanlt on the rebel fortifications, but here, as in other 
instances, the fruit of these great toils was turned into ashes 
before we could grasp it. On the night of May 3rd the whole 
army knew that on the following morning the battle would 
open and a general excitement was in every regiment before 
Yorktown. 

None of the old boys of the Army of the Potomac will forget 
that Saturday night. As soon as it grew dark, regiment after 
regiment filed silently out of their camps and took up their 
allotted positions where they would operate in the coming 
struggle. The Sixty-third was placed well on the right of the 
line opposite to where the rebs had some heavy seige guns. 
The cannonading on that night was grand beyond description. 
Owing to some peculiar conditions of the atmosphere for pro- 
longing sound, every discharge of the rebel gtins was followed 
by a long, deep, reverberating roar like deep thunder as peal 
followed peal, and the earth seemed to tremble. It was not 
at all like the sharp, deafening crashes of the terrible cannon- 
ade at Gettysburg, but a roar different from any we had heard 
before or since. The burning fuses of the mortar shells could 
be reen like fiery serpents crossing back and forth as the 
mighty projectiles came sailing through the black night. All 
night the eneni}^ kept up this terrible cannonading and not an 
answering shot was fired by the Union army, but we lay hug- 
ging the ground, waiting for the morning light in order to 
begin the fray. 

As soon as morning dawned the firing ceased, and as the 
Union skirmishers advanced to feel the enemy, they found 
there was no enemy in front of them, for, during the night, 
while a portion of their army remained to keep up a furious 
artillery fire, the rest had silently decamped and retreated 
toward Richmond, leaving their deserted camps, which was all 
we had for the long seige and hard labors, besides burying 
many hundreds of our poor comrades in the dark swamps. 



STORY OP THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 83 

While cheer after cheer broke from our Union soldiers, 
mingled with the blaring of brass bands and the thunder of 
drums, there were curses loud and deep from the disappointed 
men who saw the hopes of a brilliant victory suddenly snatched 
from their grasp. After thirty days of stupendous work and 
wonderful engineering, Yorktown was ours without striking a 
blow ; but what a barren victory ! The enemy carried ofif 
everything of value, save a few cannon, which they spiked 
before leaving. 

Yes, Yorktown was ours, a bloodless victory, but a very 
unsatisfactory one; just as we were ready to settle old scores 
with the enemy he had quieth^ walked ofif and left us some 
empty entrenchments in return for all we had suffered. While 
we stood in groups talking excitedly over the matter, staff 
officers and orderlie.; were dashing in all directions to head- 
quarters of commanders and soon the loud, clear tones of the 
bugle told that the army would move at once, and a hot pur- 
suit of the fleeing rebels would take place. In a few minutes 
long lines of cavalry were seen galloping rapidly along the 
roads leading to Richmond. The artillery started next, quickly 
followed by the steady tramp, tramp of the infantry, and the 
mighty Army of the Potomac was in motion. 

Before evacuating the place, the rebels planted a number of 
torpedoes in the road and around the springs and wells. These 
were buried so that only the capped nipple of the shell came 
to the surface, and when stepped on they exploded, killing all 
near I)}". 

Ciiaplain Marks relates an incident that he witnessed which 
showed the devilish ingenuity of the wretches. A soldier of a 
New York Regiment while at a spring, saw a pocket knife 
lying on the ground. Picking it up, he found a cork tied to it. 
Without any suspicion he gave it a pull to see what the cord 
was fastened to, and the next instant was torn into fragments, 
the cord having been fastened to the machinery of a concealed 
torpedo and the slight pull had exploded it. 

General McClellan at this place authorized an act for which 
he was soundly denounced by the southern papers and many 



84 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

of the copperhead sheets of the North. We had a number of 
rebel prisoners in our hands, and by order of the General 
they were compelled to go over the ground and completely 
remove the buried torpedoes. Of course they ran great risks, 
but none were injured, as they well knew where they were 
hidden. Rebel papers roasted McClellan, calling it cruel, bar- 
barous, and not warranted by the usages of war. They had 
not a word to say against the savage barbarity of those who 
planted these deadly engines in the pathway of the army. 



CHAPTER IV. 

(From May 4, 1862, to May 31, 1862.) 



Battle of Williamsburg— Camp Sassafras - Battle of Fair Oaks. 



KEARNEY AT FAIR OAKS 

So that soldierly legend is still on its journey — 

That story of Kearney who knew not to yield! 
'Twas the day when with Jameson, fierce Berry and Birney, 

Against twenty thousand he rallied the field. 
When the red volleys poured, where the clamor rose highest, 

Where the dead lay in clumps through the dwarf oak and pine. 
Where the aim from the thicket was surest and nighest, — 

No charge like Phil Kearney's along the whole line. 

When the battle went ill, and the bravest were solemn. 

Near the dark Seven Pines, where we still held our ground. 
He rode down the length of the withering column, 

And his heart at our war-cry leaped up with a bound. 
He snulfed, like his charger, the wind of the powder, — 

His sword waved us on and we answered the sign; 
Loud our cheers as we rushed, but his laugh rang the louder: 

"There's the devil's own fun boys, along the whole line." 

How he strode his brown steed! How we saw his blade brighten 

In the one hand still left, the reins in his teeth, 
He laughed like a boy when the holidays heighten. 

But a soldier's glance shot from his visor beneath! 
Up came the reserves to the melee infernal. 

Asking where to go in — through the clearing or pine? 
"O, anywhere! Forward! 'Tis all the same. Colonel: 

You'll find lovely fighting along the whole line." 

O, evil the black shroud of night at Chantilly, 

That hid him from sight of his brave men and tried! 
Foul, foul, sped the bullet that clipped the white lily, 

The flower of our knighthood, the whole army's pride! 
Yet we dream that he .still — in the shadowy region 

Where the deai form their ranks at the wan drummer's sign — 
Rides on, as of old, down the length of this legion, 

And the word still is FORWARD! along the whole line. 

— Edmund Clarence Stedman, 

"PIFTEEN miles from Yorktown, on the main road leading 

to Richmond, is the old town of Williamsbtirg. Here the 

rebels had erected some earthworks and a fort which they had 



86 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

named Fort Magruder. The erection of these works showed 
that they had not expected to stand the brunt of a general 
engagement at Yorktown, but had built them in case of a 
retreat that might hold McClellan for a time until their army 
could get safely off with its equipments to the entrenchments 
at Richmond. They evidently had no idea that our army would 
remain a whole month in the sickly swamps and morasses and 
thus decimate its ranks by disease and death. 

The rebels retreated to these works, where they prepared 
to give us a warm reception. As we marched through the 
deserted camps at Yorktown we could see the destitution of 
the Confederate soldiers. There were none of the comforts 
that marked the quarters of the Union Army ; they had but 
few tents and had constructed quarters by weaving bushes 
together, a good protection from the sun, but no defense 
against the heavy rains so prevalent in this section. The Con- 
federates suffered as much from exposure as the Union men 
did, but it did not seem to affect them in the same way, and 
we were told by rebel prisoners that there was very little sick- 
ness in the rebel camps during the siege. Our regiment joined 
in the pursuit at i o'clock that Sunday afternoon, May 4th, and 
we noticed that the road was filled with broken wagons and 
other debris of a retreating army. We marched about six 
miles from Yorktown and went into camp on a hillside. The 
evening was pleasant and gave promise of a fine night. We 
did not put up our tents, but stretched ourselves on our 
blankets, and soon all, save the guards, were sound asleep. 
About midnight we were awakened by one of the heaviest 
thunderstorms we had yet experienced in this land of heavy 
storms, the rain poured down in floods, and soon every soldier 
was soaked to the skin and the camp ground was a lake. The 
boys scrambled up, and collecting their few belongings, stood 
nearly ankle deep in water until morning. 

The rain ceased at daybreak, and after infinite labor and 
much grumbling, we managed to make fires and boil some 
coffee and started again on the pursuit. The rain began again 
about 9 o'clock and the roads became quagmires in which the 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 87 

wagons sank up to the axles. Alxnit noon we heard liea\-y 
cannonading far away in front. Cieneral Hooker, who was 
leading the advance, had come up to the enemy strongly 
entrenched and had opened the ball. Soon orderlies, covered 
with mud, came dashing back along the line with orders to 
hurry up the men. On through the deep mire and pelting 
rain the tired soldiers pushed their way, the firing growing 
louder every minute. 

Every now and then we had to make way in the road for 
artillery which w-as rushing forward furiously, the horses and 
guns being literally covered with mud. The roar of the guns 
became louder and louder, mingled with the crashing volleys 
of musketr3\ The Battle of Williamsburg was on. 

General Hooker found the enemy entrenched at a place 
called Lee's Alill. After a short engagement they fell back into 
the woods, and Hooker followed and found them posted more 
strongly. It was about 2:30 p. m., while our division was 
floundering in the muddy roads, making desperate efforts to 
get up and take a part. During the last two miles of the march 
we were pushed forward at the double quick and arrived at 
the ed^c of the battlefield just at dark. The firing ceased as 
the Sixty-third came on the ground and we had no part in 
the action, but we bivouacked on the field expecting that in the 
early morning our time would come to take part in the strug- 
gle. The misery of that night will never be forgotten by the 
soldiers. It w^as cold and a drizzling rain fell, and without any 
protection from the storm, we sat with our guns in hand all 
through the long weary night, After many hours of ceaseless 
marching we found ourselves, having been run at double quick, 
exposed to a most unpitying storm, standing in many places 
knee-deep in water, w-ithout food and without fire, and all 
night under arms. During the night the enemy left their 
works and began their retreat toward Richmond, leaving their 
dead unburied, and most of their wounded on the field. 

Next morning, as we moved on to the field, the sight that 
greeted our eyes was a most ghastly one, hundreds of dead of 
both armies were strewn in every direction, trampled on, and 



88 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

half buried in the mud. Numbers of wounded were moaning 
piteously for help, while dead and dying horses, broken 
wagons, and abandoned guns lay scattered in all directions. 
As soon as our men took possession of the field, details were 
set to work to bury the dead and care for the wounded ; long 
trenches were dug and the dead laid therein, side by side. 

The One Hundred and Fifth Regiment marched into the 
town of Williamsburg and through it to a distance of a mile 
beyond, where they formed in line of battle, while the Sixty- 
third marched into the town and went into camp. 

John Howenstein and W. H. Morrow, in order to avoid the 
deep mud of the road, went across a wheat field in order to 
reach the town. About the middle of the field they came upon 
the body of a dead rebel, who having been desperately wounded 
during the battle, had started across the field, not knowing in 
his agony where, and from loss of blood had fallen and died in 
the wheat field. His face was upturned, and the rain of the 
night had washed his face which was most strikingly beau- 
tiful, and the smile thereon made us think that he had died 
dreaming of the loved ones at home in the far south. He was 
a very refined and intelligent looking man, and evidently 
"somebody's darling." We opened his knapsack and with the 
usual clothing of a soldier, found a testament, on the fiy-leaf 
of which was the following inscription : "Presented to Walter 
Hartley by the ladies of the Selma Seminary." It seemed too 
hard to leave the handsome young soldier lying there unburied, 
so the two comrades went back to the battlefield and procured 
a couple of shovels and returning to the wheat field, dug a 
shallow grave and laid him therein and left him sleeping the 
soldier's last sleep, far from home and friends. 

"Somebody wept when he marched away, 
Looking so noble, so brave and grand; 
Somebody's kiss on his forehead lay. 
Somebody clung to his parting hand." 

INTorrow kept that testament for about 20 years, when one 
day he wrote to the postmaster at Selma, detailing the circum- 
stances of the affair. In a few days he received a letter from a 



CHAPLAIN 
JUNIUS J.MARKS., 



MAvJOR 
,JAMES F.RYAN. 



ADJUTANT 
iJOHNSA.YOUNa 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 89 

lady named ^Trs. Evans, saying that ^^"alter Hartley was her 
only brother; that he had enlisted in the beginning of the war, 
and when he left, the young ladies of Selma Seminary had 
given each of the 3"oung men who had enlisted from that town, 
a testament. She said that she knew her brother had been 
killed somewhere in A'irginia, but had never, up to that time, 
known the particulars. It was a very pathetic letter and he 
at once sent her the testament for which she returned a beauti- 
ful letter of thanks. 

^^'hen we took possession of Williamsburg, the citizens 
acted at first as if they expected the most inhuman treatment 
from our men ; at every house a white flag was displayed in 
token of surrender, but not a single case of inhumanity was 
heard of from our boys. On the contrary, guards were placed 
at every house to prevent our soldiers from intruding on the 
inmates, and in a short time the inhabitants regained their 
composure. Many of the citizens, however, had left the town 
when they became aware of the retreat of the army from York- 
town ; those who possessed horses and carriages went ofT in 
wildest haste to where they imagined was a place of safety. 

As soon as the people had recovered from their scare, the 
old secesh feeling began to show itself, especially among the 
women, which recalls another incident. 

The next day after we entered the town, as one member of 
the regiment was going down the main street, he saw a well 
in the back ya- d of a handsome house. His canteen being 
em])ty at the tinv;-. he went in at a gate and around the house 
to the well. As he reached it, he saw standing on the back 
porch a most pleasant looking old lady, and asked her if he 
could fill his canteen with water, 

"Oh, yes," she replied quickly. "You uns are masters here 
now, but it's only for a short time." 

He said nothing, and after filling his canteen, started to go 
out of the yard, but the dear old soul had a few more shots to 
fire at him. 

"See here, young man," she said, "don't you imagine that 
because you have taken this town you'll be allowed to keep it. 



90 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

No indeed. You Northern people can never conquer the 
South ; we have the l^rains, the understanding and the real 
blood, and our men are much braver than any of the Northern 
nigger worshipers — " 

And thus she went on for nearly half an hour, extolling the 
South and denouncing the North. He made no reply as she 
was an old lady, and it seemed to do her so much good to vent 
her anger on some Northern soldier. His passive manner 
appeared to put her in a better humor, but as he passed out 
she fired this parting shot after him : 

"Young man, when you uns are taking the back track 
through here with our boys at your heels, you can stop here 
for some more water." 

In the next August, when General Pope and his shattered 
army were coming down by way of [Manassas and our army 
was ordered down the peninsula to go and save him, we 
thought of what the old lad}' had said as we passed through 
Williamsburg on "the back track," but you can rest assured 
that we did not stop at that house for water. » 

Williamsburg is one of the mo't interesting towns in Mr- 
gin ia. being four miles from where Jamestown was founded 
in 1607, but in 1697 the ofificers of the government removed to 
Williamsburg, which was chosen as the capitol of the colony. 
The College of William and Mary is one of the historic places. 
It was founded by King William and his Queen Mary, who 
endowed it with one thousand acres of land and duties on furs 
and skins, and one penny per pound on all tobacco exported 
from Virginia and Maryland. Many of Virginia's most dis- 
tinguished scions, such as Washington, Patrick Henry, Jeffer- 
son and others, were educated here. 

The college and churches of the town were being used as 
hospitals for the wounded of both armies, many of the rebel 
surgeons being permitted to remain and attend their wounded 
men. 

Our regiment had encamped in a beautiful green field at the 
northern edge of the town, and after the gloomy days spent at 
Yorktown, amid the swamps and morasses, this place, with its 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 91 

handsome environments, was a Garden of Eden to us. We 
hoped we would be allowed to remain here for a long time ; in 
fact Colonel Hays was offered the provost marshalship of the 
place, which would have been very delightful to us, but his 
reply was characteristic of the man: "The Sixty-third came 
out to fight and not to loaf around doing nothing to put down 
the rebellion," so we remained here from the 5th of May until 
the 9th, wdien we left and marched about seven miles through 
a very fine country and encamped in a large field. The next 
day was ver}^ warm and sultry and we marched about 12 miles 
through a fine tract of country, although the farms were going 
to ruin very fast and nearly all the houses were deserted. We 
encamped in the evening alongside of the road and near by was 
one of the finest springs of water we had yet seen in the State. 

After the rebels retreated from Yorktown, and following the 
Battle of Williamsburg, our camps began to fill up with 
negroes, runaw^ay slaves, who, when the Union Army came 
within reaching distance, left their masters and came to us in 
great numbers. Aged aunties with great bundles on their 
heads, old gr^y-haired uncles, lively ^^oungsters, all came 
flocking in with the confidence and trust of children, believing 
that when they reached the "Unions'' they were safe from all 
future trouble. The able-bodied male slaves were more closely 
guarded and compelled to work on the rebel fortifications, but 
still numbers of them managed to slip off and come into our 
lines. 

A negro named Dick Watson gave us an account of his 
escape to the Union Army ; it was while we lay in the neigh- 
borhood of the Rappahannock River in 1863. Dick's story was 
as follows : 

"I tells you, boss, I often wished to de Lor' dat I could get 
away, an' one night I was lyin' in de hay mow, jes' a-wonderin' 
how I might git free, when Jim Bates, a nigger from de ncx' 
plantation, come along an' said, kinder low an' careful : 'Dick ! 
Say, Dick! Is you asleep?' I said, sorter low, too: 'No, I 
isn't.' 'Well,' ses Jim, 'de Unions is only 'bout five miles down 
dis road.' An' Lor' brcs you, boss! he hadn't de words out till 



92 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

I was jest a-hiken' down dat road in my bar' feet an' no hat. 
I tells you I jest flew, a skeered boss couldn't a-cotcbed me. 
All at once somebody bollered out quick an' sbarp : 'Halt! 
Wbo goes dar?' I bollered back, 'Is you de Unions?' He said 
'yes,' and den boss, 'clare to goodness I jest set down in de 
road an' cried for joy, I knowed I was safe den, no more 
wbippin' post for Dick." 

It was, however, not alone to escape from slavery that 
brought many of the negroes into our lines. Times were 
pretty hard on the other side and food was rather scarce. 
While we lay in front of Richmond, two likely darkies made 
their escape and came into our lines. We asked them : "Boys, 
would you sooner be in our army than with the rebs?" One of 
them answered promptly : "Yes, indeed, boss ; why day 
haven't any grease on der bread over dar." 

We lay in this camp by the Yorktown Road until May 13th, 
and again moved forward about two miles and encamped in a 
large wheat field where we remained until the next morning at 
4 o'clock, when we took up the line of march and moved for- 
ward through a desolate country about eight miles, and went 
into camp in a large field close by a small stream of running 
water, which enabled the boys to wash their clothes and take 
a good bath, which was badly needed. The next morning was 
ushered in by a regular downpour of rain which soon had the 
road in a river of mud, rendering the marching very laborious. 
We left camp about 8 :30 and after a long, tiresome march we 
passed New Kent Court House. This road was known as the 
New Kent and Richmond Road. We reached New Kent about 
noon, and moving down a long slope, went into camp in a 
large swampy bottom on the Pamunky River, near Cumber- 
land Landing. The Pamunky is a deep, sluggish river, a tide- 
water stream, too narrow for navigation for the larger boats, 
but deep enough to float a man-of-war. We lay in this camp 
until Monday, May 19th, when w^e started and marched about 
three miles, on what was known as the Telegraph Road, and 
encamped. 

Next morning we went about four miles on that road and 
branched ofif on the James River Road, and after going about 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 93 

three miles further encamped in a large field. This was a 
pleasant place and was in a direct line, about eight miles from 
Cumberland Landing, and about five miles from White 
House. White House was a historic place, being the property 
of the rebel General Lee. It stood on an elevation of about 20 
feet above the river. It was here that General Washington, 
in the year 1758, met Mrs. Custis, who afterward became his 
wife. 

Here in the river lay more than one hundred vessels, trans- 
ports and steamers, containing supplies for the army with hos- 
pital and sutler's stores. 

From Baltimore cross-roads, where we were encamped, it 
was five miles to the long bridge which crosses the Chicka- 
hominy at the great swamp. The countr}^ was rolling, and the 
farms reduced to desolation. The land, if properly cultivated, 
would doubtless have yielded bountifully, but the owners had 
cleared out, most of them being in the Confederate Army, leav- 
ing their farms to be cared for by the negroes, and these, as 
soon as our army approached, left everything and followed us. 

We remained in this camp, which the boys named "Camp 
Sassafras," until Friday, May 23rd, when at 3 o'clock p. m. 
we were ordered into line, and after marching until about 10 
o'clock that night were halted, and threw ourselves down by 
the side of the road and slept until morning. 

The next morning by 5 o'clock we were again on the move, 
and after tramping a couple of miles through a terrible rain 
storm went into camp within a mile of the York River & 
Richmond Railroad. 

On Sunday, May 25th,- we again started toward the rebel 
capitol and about 9 o'clock came to the famed Chickahominy, 
which we crossed at Bottom Bridge. The rebels had de^-troyed 
the original bridge, and we crossed on pontoons. This stream 
has scarcely any perceptible flow, but spreads out in wide 
swamps. In dry weather it is contracted into a stream not 
much over 30 yards in width, but after some of the heavy rains 
which are prevalent in this country, it spreads into a broad 
stream with but little depth, but abounding in treacherous 
swamps. The lands beyond the Chickahominy were about the 



94 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

meanest we had passed over, and by poor cultivation had been 
worn out and abandoned to the brier, the pine and the swamp 
oak. 

We had expected the enemy would meet us here and oppose 
our crossing the stream, but we encountered no opposition, the 
rebels having- retired to Richmond. 

We moved about three miles further and encamped. The 
regiment was sent about a mile further and placed on picket. 
The next day it was relieved by the Eighty-seventh New York, 
and we returned to our camp of the day previous. Another 
severe thunderstorm deluged us. We remained here until 
Thursday, May 29th. 

In the meantime, news was received of General Banks' defeat 
in the valley, which caused the boys to feel rather gloomy. 
We left camp about 8 o'clock in the morning and moved about 
two miles and encamped in a pleasant situation alongside the 
Richmond & York River Railrqad. 

The next day was fought the Battle of Fair Oaks. A short 
distance from our camp was Savage Station, and about a mile 
further, on toward Richmond, was Fair Oaks Station. 

On Friday, Ala}^ 30th, all was quiet and peaceful in camp ; 
the day was terribly hot, one of the hottest of that very warm 
summer, not a breath of air stirred, and the rays of the sun 
poured down in a blistering flood. About noon the sky 
assumed a curious aspect, it was no longer blue, and yet no 
clouds were to be seen, the light was white and ghastly, and 
it was evident to all that nature was preparing for some ter- 
rible convulsion of the elements. The men lay around in their 
tents and under the trees in a listless manner, and a fearful 
hush seemed to pervade all nature. About 3 o'clock in the 
afternoon the sky assumed a coppery color, which was fright- 
ful to behold. Flashes of lightning of the most vivid char- 
acter followed each other so rapidly that the whole sky seemed 
to be aflame, wdiile the thunder crashed and roared in a manner 
that caused a thrill of fright to strike the hearts of the bravest. 
The rain fell in perfect sheets and the wind blew a hurricane. 
The storm partially ceased about 6 o'clock and the boys pre- 
pared their scanty supper. In a short time the thunder, which 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 95 

was muttering in the eastern part of the licavens, began to 
grow louder, and it was soon apparent to all that the storm 
was returning. All the old soldiers of that portion of the 
Army of the Potomac will remember as long as they live, that 
terrible night of thunder and lightning and tempest. 

All night long the fearful war of the elements continued, and 
during the night a number of men in our division were killed 
by lightning. The storm ceased about daybreak, and on the 
morning of the 31st the sun rose bright and clear. The camp 
was soon astir and the boys were drying their clothing and 
laughing and joking as usual. The sluggish Chickahominy 
in our rear was now a raging torrent and that portion of the 
army that had crossed it was completely separated from the 
rear portion on the other side. 

That day, about i o'clock, a rattle of musketry was heard 
coming from the extreme front where Generals Couch and 
Casey's divisions were stationed. Calculating upon the swell 
of the Chickahominy, which was holding the two wings of 
our army apart, the rebel General Johnston had seized this 
moment to hurl his army against us in order to annihilate our 
entire left wing. 

The musketry fire soon deepened into a continuous roar and 
presently the deep, hollow booming of cannon joined in, and 
we all knew a battle had begun. Soon an orderly from Gen- 
eral Kearney's headquarters was seen galloping to Colonel 
Hays' tent, and in a few minutes we were hurrying up the 
railroad to the scene of carnage. Presently the shells from the 
rebel cannon began to shriek over our heads, bursting with 
startling crashes among the treetops, while the zip, zip, zip of 
the musket balls betokened that we would soon be in the midst 
of it. 

On our front was a large slashing — that is, the woods had 
been cut down, the trees being felled so that they lay in every 
way forming an almost impenetrable mass of trunks and 
branches. The rebels had possession of a portion of thi.s 
slashing, and Jameson's Brigade, consisting of the On^ Hun- 
dred and Fifth, Sixty-third and Fifty-seventh Penns}-lvania and 



96 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

the Eighty-seventh New York, was ordered in to drive them 
out. In we went, yelling and cheering like madmen. 

The following graphic account of the Battle of Fair Oaks 
is reproduced from a letter written by Captain B. J. Reid, of 
Company F, dated "Bivouac at Fair Oaks, Ya., six and a half 
miles from Richmond, June lo, 1862 : 

"On the memorable 31st of May, our camp was about a mile this 
side of the Chickahominy, at some rifle pits on the railroad, at 
eleventh mile post from Richmond. Two of our companies (I and K) 
were two miles distant, down the Chickahominy, erecting a bridge. 
Colonel Hays and Captain Berringer (acting Major) were three or 
four miles off, southward, inspecting the picket lines of our 
(Kearney's) division. At 2 o'clock Company F went to a knoll 
across the railroad to bury Corporal Dunmire, who had died early 
that morning. While at the grave the heavy rattle of musketry was 
distinctly heard to the westward, mingled with the booming of can- 
non, which we had noticed an hour before without paying much 
attention to it, from its being of frequent occurrence. Hastening 
back to camp, after the close of the ceremonies, we found the regi- 
ment forming for the march. 

Our brigade (Jameson's) was ordered forward. Lieutenant Col- 
onel Morgan was in command of the Sixty-third Regiment. We 
started out the railroad track, on the usual 'route-step;' but had not 
proceeded far when we were met by a courier from General Kearney, 
and the command 'double quick!' was given. Besides arms and 
accountrements and sixty rounds of ammunition in the men's cart- 
ridge boxes, we had our canteens and our haversacks filled with three 
'days' rations. We had had a heavy thunder storm the previous day 
and night, and although the sky was still clouded, the air was close 
and sultry. 

Sickness had thinned our ranks and considerably weakened most 
of those still on duty. * * * For my own part, though not 
decidedly sick, I had been rather unfit for nearly two weeks, and 
when it came to the double quick, I found it very hard work to keep 
up. Under almost any other circumstances I should have sunk by 
the wayside; but, by throwing away my haversack and making extra- 
ordinary exertions, I kept my place at the head of my company. 
Quite a number in the regiment fell out of ranks, unable to keep it 
up; but on the regiment pressed toward the awful roar of fire arms, 
growing closer and louder every moment. 

After making two and a half miles on the railroad, we obliqued 
across some fields to the left and struck the Williamsburg and Rich- 
mond turnpike, near the point known as 'Seven Pines.' Here we 
met a stream of men going back — some wounded — but most flying in 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 97 

panic. We kept our way along the turnpike amid a perfect shower 
of solid shot and shell from the enemy's batteries, that enfiladed 
the road and its immediate vicinity. This severe cannonade increased 
the haste and confusion of the fugitives, and gave us a foretaste of 
what was before us. ' 

On we pressed, led and cheered by General Jameson, who appeared 
unconscious of danger from the shells bursting on all sides. We 
double-quicked over a mile through this rainstorm, meeting now and 
then a piece of artillf.ry or caisson in full retreat — having probably 
run out of ammunition, and fearful of being captured. It was to turn 
back this tide of battle that we were pushing forward. 

Part of Berry's Brigade of our division had preceded us a little 
way, and were already engaged in what seemed an unequal conflict 
with superior numbers. Casey's Division — the first attacked — had 
by this time, all fallen far to the rear and were effectually hors du 
combat. At length we reached the point where the rifle balls of the 
enemy began to mingle with their heavier shot. We halted a moment 
to allow the left of the regiment to close up. Then up again and 
forward. For some distance back there had been woods on both 
sides; but we had now reached a point where Casey had felled the 
timber on both sides, to form an 'abattis.' Just beyond were the 
large open fields where his camps had been, and where his deserted 
tents were still standing. Here was the enemy's line of battle. 

Our regiment was deployed on the left ' of the road — the One 
Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania "Volunteers and Eighty-seventh New 
York (of our brigade) on the right. We deployed just behind the 
'slash' or abattis, and had then to march over it, or crawl through it 
in line of battle, to reach the front. Just as Company F were filing 
into line. General Jameson cried out, 'Captain Reid, go in there and 
don't come out until you have drivea every rebel out of that 
brush!' As soon as the line was formed, we advanced through the 
slash, our line resting on the road. This advance was very diflicult, 
owing to the felled and tangled timber. And all the while bullets 
and shells were fly:ng like hail, over and among us, coming from an 
enemy as yet unseen. 

A few rods further was a belt of sapling pines and oaks, on the 
left of the road, not yet felled. Passing a few rods through this 
brought us to the front where, just at the edge of the saplings, a 
slender line of Be;;y's Brigade was trying to hold its ground 
against a host of.rebels hid in a strip of brush and fallen timber, 
close in front of them concealed behind Casey's tents a little further 
beyond, and protected by three houses, a long row of cord-wood, and 
a line of Casey's rifle-pits, still beyond, where they had captured two 
of our batteries and were now turning our own guns against us 



98 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

with terrible effect. Here, just in the edge of the saplings, we 
halted and opened fire. 

The crash and roar was grand. Berry's men were cheered up, 
and the rebels appalled by the intensity of our steady and rapid 
fire. But the firing both ways- was intense. Our line was already 
strewn with dead and wounded. Almost at the first fire. Sergeant 
Elgin of my company, a splendid soldier, fell at my side, dead. A 
little further along the line, to the right. Orderly Sergeant Delo was 
a few moments afterwards killed. Then Private Rhees fell near the 
former. Now and then, too, one of my men would walk or be carried, 
wounded, to the rear. 

We soon discovered that the most deadly fire came from the 
swampy-brush-wood and fallen timber close by us. We could see 
the smoke of the rifles among the brush, and by watching sharply, 
could distinguish a head or an arm half hidden. It was evident that 
the patch of brush was full of rebels, and we soon turned our atten- 
tion chiefly in that direction. A Michigan man close by me fell dead, 
just as he had loaded his piece. I thought I saw where the shot 
came from, and seized his loaded gun in time to level it at a crouch- 
ing rebel there, who seemed about to fire again. He was not thirty 
'yards from me. There appeared to be a race between us; but I shot 
first, and the rebel rolled over backwards in the swamp, and troubled 
us no more. Under the circumstances, I had no compunction about 
it. I took the balance of the dead man's cartridges and used his gun 
the rest of the evening. 

That spot soon became too hot for its occupants, and a few tried 
to fall back from it, but as they had a piece of open field to pass in 
order to reach a safer shelter, scarcely one escaped alive. I was there 
two days afterwards, and although the rebels had buried great num- 
bers of their dead Saturday night and Sunday, I found that little 
piece of brushy swamp and abattis literally filled with rebel dead. 
The scene was a sad one after the excitement of the battle was over. 

Middling early in the fight, our Lieutenant Colonel was wounded 
and carried off the field. Thus left without any field officer, we 
fought on, keeping our ground, unsupported by artillery and rein- 
forcements, although the enemy had both. We could plainly see 
fresh regiments brought up and deployed in line, strengthening and 
relieving the others, thinned by our fire. Two or three times they 
appeared formed, as for a charge, but they did not attempt it where 
we were. They did, however, charge on the extreme right of our 
brigade, and by overwhelming pressure, compelled it to give way. 

The enemy followed up their advantage with great vigor and 
before sundown they had succeeded in flanking us so far on that 
side, that they had possession of the turnpike behind us. Then it 
was that Colonel Campbell coming up with his regiment (the Fifty- 
seventh Pennsylvania of our brigade) and our own Colonel Hays with 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 99 

Companies I and K, made such splendid efforts to turn back the 
advancing wave. Colonel Hays rapidly gathered up about half a 
regiment of straggling fugitives, rallied them for a stand, and form- 
ing them about his own companies, led them to the charge, supported 
by the Fifty-seventh. Both colonels and both regiments did gallantly 
and checked the enemy for awhile, but being reinforced, the latter 
advanced again with unbroken front and Colonel Hays' miscellane- 
ous recruits gave way, leaving only Companies I and K to breast the 
wave. He reluctantly withdrew from the unequal contest, as did also 
the Fifty-seventh. 

It was sundown and General Jameson had given the order for our 
whole brigade to fall back to an entrenched position, on the turnpike 
about a mile and a half to the rear, having the advantages of wide, 
open fields in front on both sides of the road, where our batteries 
would have a good range to guard against a night attack. Some- 
how or other, I believe from the cowardice or other default of our 
courier charged with the delivery of the order, it never reached us, 
and after the other regiments of the brigade had gone safely back, 
and the enemy had followed them a considerable distance along the 
turnpike behind us, we still held our position on the left of the road 
in the very front of where the hottest of the battle had been. 

I knew well, from the direction of the firing on our right, that the 
enemy had succeeded in flanking us on that side, and there was 
still light enough to see fresh regiments beyond the houses moving 
toward our left. Our men had shot away all their ammunition, 
except perhaps one or two cartridges apiece, and had emptied 
besides, the cartridge boxes of our dead and wounded. Captain Kirk- 
wood, of Company B, succeeding to the command as senior captain, 
asked my advice as to what he should do. I told him we had done 
all we could for that day; that under the circumstances to remain 
there longer was to expose what was left of the regiment to be 
sacrificed or captured as in a few minutes the only avenue of escape 
left us would be cut off. We had sent back all our wounded that 
we could find; the dead we could not possibly take with us through 
the slash and swamps we would have to cross. 

Accordingly the captain gave the order to fall back slowly, just 
as it was growing dark. After I had seen that we had left none 
of our men behind and could get no further answer to my calls than 
the whiz of bullets that still came flying from the rifle-pits behind 
the houses, we turned our men into a by-path that diverged consider- 
ably from the main road, which was held by the enemy in force, and 
from which they greeted us with random and harmless volleys. A 
little further on I was struck by a spent fragment of a shell, causing 
a slight smart for a few minutes, but without breaking the skin. 
That was the only time I was even touched that day by any of the 
enemy's missiles. I never can be suflficiently thankful to Almighty 
God for my preservation from the showers of bullets that whistled 



100 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

close by me; it seemed almost incredible that I was not touched. I 
walked through that belt of little pines on Monday after the battle 
and it astonished even me to see how almost every sapling of two or 
three inches thickness was spotted all over with bullet marks, from 
the ground up to the height of a man's head. It may be my lot to 
be in many another battle, but I do not believe I can ever be placed 
in a situation of greater apparent danger. 

:J; ^ $ :f: ^ 

We succeeded in rejoining our brigade at about 10 o'clock that 
night. We found them on the east side of a large tract of about a 
mile square, on both sides of the turnpike, collected and disposed in 
order of battle — protected in part by earthworks, commenced by Gen- 
erals Casey and Couch on their first advance, and which our generals 
were now busy extending and strengthening to be ready for emer- 
gencies. 

Striking across the opening, we found some of Hooker's division 
which had arrived from the left and rear just as the firing had 
ceased. They were fresh for the work in the morning. Inquiring as 
we went along the lines, we found that Kearney and Jameson were 
in the edge of the woods on the north side of the turnpike. * * * 
General Jameson was overjoyed to see so many of the Sixty-third 
safe, and returning in a body in good order. He led us to Kearney's 
headquarters, where we found Colonel Hays and Companies I and K. 
Here we got some crackers and hot coffee and rested on our arms 
until morning. Here, too, we learned that besides Hooker, who came 
from the left, Richardson's and Sedgwick's divisions of Sumner's 
Corps, had arrived from the other side of the Chickahominy on our 
right, just in time to give and take, before dark, a volley or two 
with the left wing of the Rebel Army, which was moving down on 
the north side of the railroad expecting to cut off our retreat. So 
the prospect for the morning's work was much more agreeable than 
it would have been in the absence of such comfortable reinforce- 
ments. 

* * * Sunday morning the rebels advanced boldly to the 
attack, coming up to the edge of the woods in front of us, but 
Hooker's division on the turnpike and Sumner's troops on the rail- 
road — our brigade being held as a 'reserve' — met and routed them 
in a couple of hours' fighting, without any need of our help. 

Ever since we have been kept in position, changing only by advanc- 
ing, ready for battle at any moment. There has been some skirmish- 
ing since, between the pickets, and an occasional cannonade from one 
or both sides, but nothing more as yet. I think, however, the great 
Battle of Richmond will be fought this week, if it is to be fought at 
all. 

* * * Our regiment lost twenty-one killed, eighty-one 
wounded, and seventeen missing. * * *" 



CHAPTER V. 

(From May 31, 1862, to June 30, 1862.) 



Battle of Gaines' Mill— Evacuation of Savage Station and Des- 
truction OF Supplies— Battle of Xelson"s Farm or Glen- 
dale— Battle OF Malvern Hill, 



"There are bonds of all sorts in this world of ours, 
Fetters of friendship and ties of flowers 

And true lovers' knots, I ween; 
The girl and the boy are bound by a kiss. 
But there's never a bond, old friend like this — 

We have drunk from the same canteen! 

It was sometimes water and sometimes milk 
And sometimes apple-jack, fine as silk; 

But, whatever the tipple has been, 
We shared it together in bane or bliss; 
And I warm to you friend, when I think of this — 

We have drunk from the same canteen! 

The rich and the great sit down to dine 

And they quaff to each other in sparkling wine, 

From glasses of crystal and green; 
But I guess in their golden potations they miss 
The warmth of regard to be found in this — 

We have drunk from the same canteen! 

We have shared our blankets and tents together. 
We have marched and fought in all kinds of weather 

And hungry and full we have been; 
"Had days of battle and days of rest. 
But this memory I cling to and love the best — 

We have drunk from the same canteen! 

For when wounded I lay on the outer slope 
With my blood flowing fast, and but little hope 

Upon which my faint spirit could lean — 
Oh! then I remember you crawled to my side 
And, bleeding so fast it seemed both must have died. 

We drank from the same canteen!" 

— Charles G. Halpine. 

T^HE wounded were taken back to Savage Station where 
their wotmds were dressed, and from there were taken by- 
cars to White House Landing, and in a short time transferred 



102 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

by steamers to Fortress Alonroe and Northern cities. The 
scenes that night about Savage Station will never be for- 
gotten. The doctors were kept busy all night dressing wounds 
and cutting off shattered limbs, while the ground was com- 
pletely saturated w4th blood. 

When darkness had put an end to the fighting at the 
Battle of Fair Oaks and our bruised and battered regiment 
had withdrawn from the field, we then learned how severe our 
loss had been during the conflict. There is nothing in the 
world so strikingly sad as the calling of the roll after a battle; 
it is then we learn how many of our comrades have answered 
their last roll call and have gone to join the great majority. 

"There they stood in the fading light, 
Those men of battle, with stern, grave looks. 
As plain to be read as open books. 
While darkly gathered the shades of night. 

It was called a victory, but it cost us dear. 
For of a hundred men who went into the fight. 
When the company roll was called that night 
There were only twenty who answered 'HERE!' " 

Savage Station was one mile in the rear of the battlefield 
and had been made a general hospital where all the wounded 
were taken for treatment. Ambulances were coming in from 
all parts of the battlefield, laden with wounded men, torn and 
bleeding from shot, shell and bullets, and it was a sickening 
sight. Many poor fellows had died while being carried from- 
the field to where doctors were attending to the injured, and 
many died while under the doctor's hands, and soon a long 
row of ghastly corpses was lying on the ground in the rear 
of the building. Charles Adams, of Braddock, a noble young 
man, met a sad fate. Later he was made prisoner and taken 
to Anderson ville where, in that hell of misery, he starved to 
death. 

All night long we labored at our disagreeable task, carrying 
the wounded from the ambulances to the surgeons, and the 
sights witnessed that night were simply horrible. The groans 
and screams of the poor fellows, while under the surgeon's 
knife, wxrc heartrending, and soon a large heap of several 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 103 

arms, hands, feet and legs attested that the work of amputa- 
tion was in rapid progress. 

We returned to our regiment the next morning, in time 
to help with the Sunday morning's fight. Both sides claimed 
the victory, but it was evident that our army had the best of 
it. The rebels had their entire army, while ours was broken 
in two by the raging Chickahominy, which had cut off our 
left from the rest of the army and they, knowing our condi- 
tion, had made a desperate advance, feeling certain they could 
annihilate our left wing or drive it back into the turbulent 
river, but they utterly failed and at the close of the fight we 
were masters of the situation, the enemy having been driven 
back along the entire front. The enemy had taken many 
prisoners and a number of cannon from General Casey's divis- 
ion, besides a large quantity of stores. These were hurried 
back to Richmond on Saturday night as trophies of the fight. 
The few days following, the battlefield presented a horrible 
spectacle ; about four hundred dead horses lay strewn over 
the field, and in that hot climate decomposition was rapid, and 
a most terrible stench assailed our nostrils ; most of the car- 
casses were burned. 

On jNIonday, June 2nd, we lay on the edge of the battle- 
field and nothing of any moment occurred. The burial details 
were busily engaged in placing the dead beneath the ground, 
and in many instances the bodies had so far decomposed that 
they were not buried, but the earth simply piled over them. 
In other instances, long trenches were dug and the dead 
placed in them side by side, and covered with earth. 

On Tuesday, June 3rd, about noon, word came that the 
enemy was driving in our pickets on the left. We hurriedly 
fell into line and moved a mile or two down the railroad, when 
the order was countermanded and we marched back and were 
placed to support an eight-gun battery. 

Of course, just after a battle there is considerable excite- 
ment and it takes some time for the army to get settled down 
in the old routine again, and there are always wild rumors 



104 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

flying around ; no one can trace them to their starting point, 
but they are for the time, generally believed. 

On Wednesday, June 4th, while we lay in camp, a terrible 
thunder-storm passed over, and for awhile the volleys of 
thunder were frightful. It was at this time that we noticed 
something that was decidedly curious, and which showed the 
instinct of dumb animals and how they remember their train- 
ing. The peals of thunder were not of the long, rolling kind 
we are used to in the hilly country, but were short and sharp, 
like the firing of heavy cannon. Near our camp was a battery 
belonging to a Rhod? Island Regiment. The horses had been 
taken some distance from the guns and turned into a green 
plot to eat grass. All at once the heavy crashes of thunder 
broke over us, and at the first explosion the horses raised 
their heads and at the next instant broke into a gallop and 
rushed to the guns, where they ranged themselves in their 
usual positions in the rear of them, evidently taking the peals 
of thunder for artillery firing. This may seem a little highly 
drawn, but it is an actual fact, and hundreds of the soldiers 
can testify to the truth of it. The next day, Thursday, the 
5th, about 10 o'clock, heavy cannonading was heard on our 
right. It was General Porter's division shelling the woods on 
his advance, but we did not kiiow what it was then, and 
believed it was the opening of another battle, and expected 
soon to be called to move in that direction. 

A rather laughable afi^air occurred at this time; it was one 
of Colonel Hays' peculiar expressions. It seemed that a num- 
ber of the officers of the regiment were sick at the time ; 
whether it was real or what the boys called "bullet sickness," 
was known only to themselves, but at any rate, a number 
of them reported to the colonel as unfit for duty and retired 
to the rear. The colonel was sitting under a tent fly, in a bad 
humor. Every now and then an officer w^ould come to him, 
report sick, and ask permission to go to the rear. The colonel 
stood it for some time, but his face kept getting redder and 
redder, and his eyes began to have a steely glare. At last a 
lieutenant came up and said : 




CAPTAIN 

.WILLIAM P.HUNKER. 

CO^^PANY A. 



CAPTAIN 

R.A.NESBIT. 

COMPANY B 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 105 

"Colonel, I am feeling- sick, can I go to the rear?" 
The colonel sprang to his feet, and in that cutting tone of 
voice which only Hays could assume, shouted : 

"There are two roads leading from this camp, one to Rich- 
mond and one to the hospital ; the privates and I are going 
to Richmond, and every d — d officer is taking the road to the 
hospital." 

The lieutenant did not wait to hear any more, but quickly 
returned to his quarters, and there were no more requests to 
go to the hospital that day. Colonel Hays was a most kind- 
hearted and patient man with a private soldier, but an officer 
who was inclined to shirk his duty received no mercy at his 
hands ; that was the great reason why the privates all loved 
him so dearly. Another instance of his kindness is recalled. It 
was at the Second Battle of Bull Run. One of the boys was 
shot in the leg and was in danger of bleeding to death, as the 
hospital steward with the field knapsack was in another part 
of the field. Colonel Hays rode by and asked what was 
needed. One of the men in charge told the colonel that they 
had no linen or cotton bandages and could not stop the bleed- 
ing. Instantly the colonel's coat and vest were ofif; next he 
pulled his muslin shirt over his head and tossing it to the 
men, said : "There, make bandages out of that as far as it will 
go," and then galloped away to another part of the field. In 
the evening we learned that General Porter had advanced a 
considerable distance on our right and found no enemy. Some 
of us began to tliink that the rebels had retreated, leaving 
the way clear for us to Richmond, and we began to speculate 
how long it would be before we would reach the rebel capitol. 
Dave Ludwick, of Company A, had, by some means, become 
the owner of a fine w'hite shirt of which he was quite proud. 
One day he washed it carefully, and after it was dry, he 
packed it in his knapsack, saying: "There, I won't wear that 
until we get to Richmond." Poor Dave, he never wore his 
handsome shirt again as he fell in battle on the 30th of June 
at Nelson's Farm. 

The next dav we moved forward a short distance and 



106 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

encamped in one of the worst places we had yet seen, a large, 
swampy field close to the rebel lines. The day was dark and 
gloomy and the rain continued to fall in heavy showers. 
Every now and then we would receive an unwelcome visitor 
in the shape of a rebel shell which would fall unpleasantly 
near us. As evening came on, the guards were doubled and 
we received orders to be p/irticularl}^ vigilant. Colonel Hays 
appeared to be on the lookout for something, and we heard 
him remark to Captain Kirkwood, "If the enemy attacks us 
tonight, we are in bad shape to meet him." Our regiment 
had been pushed out in front and we had no supports near 
us. As a large part of the army was back by the Chicka- 
hominy, this remark of the colonel did not cause us to sleep 
very quietly thereafter. The colonel never went to his bed 
that night, but continued to go around among the sentries to 
see that they were on the alert. For some reason the rebs 
did not molest us during the night, and we were all glad 
that they had forborne to do so. 

iMorning broke, bright and clear, and we moved to another 
camp much more pleasantly situated, where we lay the next 
three days, during which time several of us obtained permis- 
sion to visit our comrades who were lying sick in 'the hos- 
pital, and will never forget the sad sights there. The hos- 
pitals were crowded, and hundreds of poor fellows in the 
wild delirium of fever, were tossing about, many of them in 
the last stages of disease. When a comrade visited one poor 
fellow, Harry Shafifer of near Turtle Creek, he was still con- 
scious, and he asked his friend to write to his father. Having 
no paper, the comrade tore a few leaves out of his diary, and 
sitting down beside him, began to write. Before he had 
written more than a dozen lines, the fever increased to such an 
extent that Schaffer became delirous, and the letter w^as 
brought to a close, and in a short time he was dead. He was a 
bright, cheerful young man, and a good soldier, but fell a 
victim, as did hundreds of his companions, to the deadh' fever 
in the pestilential swamps of the Chickahominy, and his 
remains repose in an unknown grave in the gloomy swamp, 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 107 

far from home and friends, where no one can drop a tear over 
his obscure resting place or deck his grave with flowers on 
Memorial Day. We have read of great heroes of the past, 
but there were as great heroes of whom the world never heard, 
who wore the simple blue blouse of the private soldier, as were 
ever sung by minstrel or revered by hero worshipers. They 
gave to their country all they had, — their lives, and ma}' 
Heaven hide the day when their sacrifices, sufferings and 
death will be forgotten by the land they helped to save. 

Friday, June 13th. was a remarkably hot day. On this day 
Chaplain Marks took several of us along to White House 
Landing to see to some of our wounded, and to assist him in 
bringing up some hospital supplies. We found a number of 
our regiment there, and while Chaplain Marks went on board 
one of the vessels and remained there during the night, the 
rest of us encamped with our bo3'S, who were acting as nurses 
at the time. Some time during the forepart of the night we 
were all aroused by a number of cannon shots and firing of 
musketr}', and a flying rumor came in that the rebels had cap- 
tured Tunstall's Station of the York River & Richmond Rail- 
road, and had also attacked our troops at dififcrent points 
along the line. Instantly all was confusion; signal lights were 
flashing among the large number of vessels lying at anchor 
at White House Landing, and they all began to drop down the 
stream to get out of danger. They were all loaded with arm}'- 
supplies, sutler's stores, and many other things, and would 
have been a rich haul had the Johnnies captured them. All 
night long the alarm was kept up and all kinds of rumors 
were afloat. It was the celebrated raid of General Stuart, the 
dashing Confederate General, whose bravery only ecjualled 
his rashness and daring. With one thousand eight hundred 
men, as wild and daring as the celebrated ]\Ioss troopers 
described in the "Lay of the Last Minstrel," he swept around 
our entire rear that night. A body of our men were on guard 
at Tunstall's Staiton when Stuart swooped down on them 
and captured the entire lot. 

A train containing a numljcr of officers, also sick and 



108 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

wounded men, came along. The engineer saw that the place 
was in possession of the rebels, and putting on all steam, 
dashed past, though hundreds of bullets whistled by him. He 
was struck, but kept his hand on the throttle until he was 
out of danger. 

The train came to White House and it was then known 
that the enemy was close by, but the object of his presence 
was not vet understood. The scene about the landing: was 
exciting as well as ludicrous; there were hundreds of negroes 
about the place, most of whom wer^ runaways and had left 
their masters when our army came along, and when they 
learned that the Confederates were likely to arrive, they 
were scared clean through and through. They ran to the 
miserable shanties where they had taken up their abode, 
gathered up their little belongings into bundles, then, not 
knowing what to do or where to go, they filled the air with 
dismal groans, and while some prayed loudly and fervently, 
others, too badly scared to pray, uttered wild and incoherent 
ejaculations, and on all sides could be heard, 'Lawd, save us 
po' sinners," "Oh, de good Lawd look down an' help us," etc. 
The sutlers also had a first-class scare on and packed up their 
goods, which they had on display in some large tents, and 
hastened with them on board the vessels. 

When Stuart found himself foiled in his attempt to capture 
the train, he gathered up what horses, arms, and supplies he 
could find in the neighborhood of Tunstall, and swung around 
toward the left and stopped at Baltimore Cross Roads. 

One of our hospitals was at this place, and General Stuart 
and his chief surgeon paid it a visit, behaving most humanely, 
not allowing any of their men to enter the hospital, saying it 
would alarm the sick. The rebel surgeon borrowed what 
quinine and other medicine our doctor had, and which he was 
compelled to lend him, as well as some surgical instruments. 

From this, Stuart and his raiders went on, passing entirely 
around the left of the army, gathering up horses and wagons, 
and taking prisoners many of our soldiers that were in their 
way, and with all these spoils, returned safely to the rebel 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 109 

capitol. This was a severe blow, not only to our army, but 
when the news of the raid reached Washington, it caused 
great consternation. Those who were unfriendly to the North 
were jubilant, saying that the war was a failure and it was 
all nonsense for the North to think that it could conquer the 
South ; that when one rebel general with only one corps could 
pass entirel}' around the great Army of the Potomac and after 
capturing supplies and prisoners, then ride unscathed into 
Richmond, it was very evident that the war was a failure. 
To the loyal party it was a shock, and a deep disgrace. Our 
head officers came in for their share of abuse and were greatly 
blamed, but to the authorities at the rebel capitol it was a 
source of great rejoicing, and the Richmond papers made 
great fim of the army of the North and General McClellan, 
advising him to get a pen made for his army or General 
Stuart might come down some night and bag the whole con- 
cern, and bring it into Richmond before breakfast. To the 
soldiers of the Army of the Potomac, it was also a stunning 
blow, but it only made the men more determined to get even 
with the rebels and pay them back in their own coin ^vith 
interest. This the}^ did, but it was a long time in the future. 
Things were growing more desperate, and every day showed 
that a crisis was approach'ng, and the boys were glad that a 
time was coming when we could measure our strength with 
the enemy. 

On Tuesday, June 24th, we reeved to a long, low breast- 
work of logs about 200 yards fro: 1 our former camp. On this 
day one hundred rounds of ammunition were issued to each 
man, and as forty rounds was the •. :gular issue, it made the 
boys stare when they received sucli an immense quantity at 
once, but we all knew what it mean I. 

In front of our camp, toward the enemy, \sa^ a .sirip of 
timber land heavily covered with tall pine trees. Orders were 
issued to cut these down and make a slashing. It was a curi- 
ous sight to see the tall pines dropping so fast with crash 
following crash, and in a very short time the woods were gone 
and the trees were lying tangled up in every way, affording a 



no UNDER THE RED PATCH 

splendid place for men apfainst an advancing enemy, but a 
miserable place to charge into when occupied by the enemy. 
A peculiar bustle was observed all day among the field 
officers, and orderlies were galloping from one headquarters 
to another, so when we lay down that night it was with the 
settled conviction that the next day would witness some stir- 
ring scene, and that the great crisis had arrived at last. The 
soldiers were all glad that the suspense w^ould be ended and 
that they were about to change the dreary monotony of camp 
life for a stirring reality. If we gained the victory it would 
be a glorious change, and if we were defeated it could not be 
W'Orse than the life we had been leading among the pestilential 
swamps, where the army was rapidly melting away through 
sickness, and the strong, robust men who had so proudly 
marched from Hampton in the spring on their way "to take 
Richmond," had changed to sickly, fever-stricken skeletons, 
but not for an instant did any of us cherish a doubt that we 
would be successful. We had a great deal to learn yet. 

On this day a man appeared in our camp in citizen's clothes 
with an armful of sheet music ; it was a song entitled "On to 
Richmond ;" the words were very patriotic, and the boys who 
had money bought copies to sing around future camp-fires. 
None of us knew then that this man was a noted spy who, in 
the guise of a song seller, had worked his way through the 
camps and thus learned many valuable things for the benefit 
of the Confederates. It was said he belonged to Stonewall 
Jackson's corps. We heard later on that he had been cap- 
tured while playing the spy in our army, and given a hurried 
trip out of the world on the end of a rope. 

Wednesday morning, June 25th, broke bright and clear. 
The bugle call aroused the men as soon as the rays of the sun 
began to gild the tree tops, and in a short time all was bustle 
and activity. We all felt that before the sun would sink to 
rest some stirring scenes would be enacted; between us and 
Richmond lay the hosts of Lee, Longstreet, Huger, Hill and 
IMagruder, all able commanders, who would fight every step 
of the w^ay, and there was no picnic before us. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 111 

A hasty breakfast of hard tack and black cofTee was quickly 
disposed of, guns carefully inspected and put in proper condi- 
tion, cartridge boxes filled, and each company fell into place. 
The regiment was formed into fine, and soon the tramp, tramp 
of the men began toward where the enemy was waiting. 
There is no more impressive sight on earth than the steady 
march of men going forth to battle, with features sternly set 
and a resolve to do or die written plainly on their faces, and 
the tight grasp of the faithful rifle. 

Looking at these men of "stern, grave look," one failed to 
see a sign of fear — that kind of fear that causes one to shirk 
his duty ; the cowards had left the ranks before the fight began. 
We passed through the slashing, and beyond it was a wood. 
In this wood we met some rebel pickets, and firing at once 
began, the enemy's pickets falling back as we advanced. Pass- 
ing the woods we came to a swampy field covered with tall 
briers and huckleberry bushes. Our skirmish line advanced 
until it reached an old building known as the "Half-Way 
House," which we had been told \vas two and a half miles 
from Richmond. Beyond this w^as a road, and there the main 
body of the enemy lay. Our line halted and formed a line of 
battle. The fighting was of desultory nature ; a great amount 
of skirmishing w'as done, and every now- and then the firing 
was desperate, then it would cease for a time, and again break 
out fiercely. 

Kearney's and Hooker's divisions were engaged in the 
fiercest part of the fight. Our troops pushed forward and 
kept driving the enemy steadily back. The Union loss in this 
fight was six hundred and fifty. Our men suffered much for 
water, and quite a number of our regiment were wounded and 
several killed, \^d^en it grew dark, the enemy massed his 
force on our right and made a fierce attack, crushing that por- 
tion of the line and throwing it back; they then moved back 
to our left, but nearer to us. 

About this time our line retired, leaving the Sixty-third out in 
front with the enemy in front and on both flanks. Our pickets 
Avere ordered to move toward the left, Init it was then so dark 



112 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

that the only way they could keep in line was by following 
a low whistle made by the leader and repeated by each one 
following. Presently they became involved in a swamp, and 
could go no farther ; there we lay in that trying situation, dur- 
ing which time the rebels had managed to throw a line of 
pickets in our rear and we were virtually between two lines 
of the enemy. 

While lying in that perilous position, we could hear the 
conversation of the rebels quite plainly, and could hear them 
forming their lines of battle preparatory for the next day's 
conflict. Every now and then a fierce volley would crash out 
in front of us, the bullets singing and whistling over our 
heads. In one of these volleys Lieutenant Cochran, of Com- 
pany G, was killed. 

About midnight, Colonel Ha3^s sent an orderly to General 
Kearney, saying that the Sixty-third Regiment was alone in 
front of the enemy, and asking him if he expected it to hold 
the whole rebel army in check. As the day began to dawn 
and we could begin to distinguish our surroundings, in the 
grey light of the early morning of the 26th, word was Cjuietly 
passed along the line to fall in at once, and about-face with our 
backs to what had heretofore been our front. During all the 
hours of the preceding night we heard the tramp of the enemy 
in our front, and could quite distinctly hear the commands 
given by their officers, and when this order to about-face came 
to us in the manner in which it did, we naturally supposed 
our foe had succeeded in flanking us, and had taken a posi- 
tion in our rear, never dreaming of a retreat. The regiment, 
having fallen in line with the utmost quiet, facing to the rear, 
Colonel Hays in his most stentorian voice gave the command : 
"Attention, battalion ! Sixty-third forward, guide center, 
march !" By this ruse the rebel forces in our front patiently 
awaited our advance, and did not discover the trick until we 
had safely reached the slashing or abbatis of fallen timber 
which lay immediately in front of the camp we had vacated 
the day before. Upon reaching this abbatis, the enemy was 
close at our heels and every man of the regiment struck out 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 113 

for himself through this mass and labyrinth of fallen timber, 
being constantly under a fusilade of bullets from the Johnnies 
and, strange to relate, the regiment all got safely back to our 
old camp, with no casualties from that morning's experience. 
Our delivery that day from a fierce engagement with all odds 
against us, can be attributed to nothing else than this strate- 
gical move on the part of our gallant commander. We 
began to move back, and when we struck the woods next the 
slashing, what was our surprise to find a rebel picket line. 
They were as much surprised as we were. With a kind of 
"let me alone, and I'll let you alone," we pushed on and 
arrived at our camp from whence we had started. Sergeant 
R. A. Nesbit, of Company B, was the leader of the skirmish 
line during that terrible night's experience, and nobly did he 
perform his duty. Thus ended the first of the seven days' 
battles in front of Richmond. 

The casualties of the Battle of the Orchards, or Seven Oaks, 
were: 

KILLED — First Lieutenant S. Hays Cochran; Privates John B. Ford, 
Company E; William Greenawalt, Company F; John Johnston, 
Company F. 

WOUNDED — Privates John Harvey, Company D, severely; John 
Huggins, Company E, severely; William J. McClarren, Company 
E, slightly; A. Greenawalt, Company F, loss of arm; Philip 
Griffin, Company F, slightly; Laurence Lyon, Company H, 
severely; Michael Kelly, Company H, slightly; James Magraw, 
Company H, slightly; Jacob Schuler, Company H, severely; 
Corporal Patrick Fisher, Company H, slightly. 

MISSING — Private David Lynch, Company E. 

Following is Colonel Hays' official report of the engage- 
ment : 

In Camp, near Richmond, Va., 

June 28, 1862. 
Capt. C. H. Potter, 

Asst. Adjt. General: 
Sir: — I have the honor to report the results of the skirmish with 
the enemy's forces on the 2yth inst. I was ordered with my regiment 
to deploy in front of Robinson's rideau. Soon after passing our picket 



114 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

line, we fell in with the advanced pickets cf the enemy, with occas- 
ional exchange of shots, for the distance of a mile and a quarter. 
Here we were opposed determinedly by the Fourth Georgia, but after 
a brisk and spirited contest, they gave up the ground. 

Our loss, though light, considering the extent of the action, I 
regret to enumerate, one commissioned officer and three privates 
killed: thirtepn, rank and file, wounded. 

Respectfully submitted, 

ALEXANDER HAYS, 
Col. 63rd Regt., Pa. Vols. 

Next day, Thursday, Jtme 26th, our regiment lay qtiietly in 
camp, listening- to the heavy firing on the right of the line. 
We knew a heavy battle was in progress and were in constant 
expectation of being sent up to help do the fighting, bttt the 
day went by and we were not called on. This made us believe 
that our side had been victorious. About dark, Adjutant 
George P. Corts advanced to the center of the camp and in a 
loud, ringing voice, made the following announcement: 

"General Porter attacked the enemy today at Beaver Dam, 
and has beaten them at every point. The rebels are in full 
retreat." 

Then we shotited and yelled and shook hands with each 
other, and promised that we would be in Richmond in less 
than a week. That prophecy was ftilfilled to some, for in less 
than a week a large nunvJDer of our men were in Richmond 
in Libby Prison, as prisoners of war. 

A little incident occurred during AA'ednesday's fight, w^hich 
will show how cool some men are in battle. Company A was 
stationed among some tall huckleberry bushes. The fruit was 
getting ripe and the boys, between firing spells, were pluck- 
ing and eating them. Among them was a 3-oung soldier from 
Braddock named Will Davison. He was a cool boy, and never 
got excited in danger. He was in the act of reaching to a 
bush when a minie ball came along and cut off his right for, 
finger, close to the hand. Will looked at his bleeding hand a 
minute and then throwing his gun across his shoulder, calml}' 
remarked: "Well, they can just keep their d — d berries," and 
started to the rear to get his wound dressed. 

David Strachan, of Company B, was the tallest man in the 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 115 

regiment, being fully six foot six in his bare feet, and pro- 
portionately strong. At the Dattle of Fair Oaks, General 
Jameson's horse fell, catching the general under him, at a 
moment when the enemy were pressing our lines very hard. 
Strachan, seeing the predicament the general was in, boldly, 
in the face of a heavy fire, rushed forward and, aided by 
Thomas M. Shannon, of Company A, actually lifted the horse 
and released the general, possil)ly saving him from capture. 

Thursday w-as another hot day. Stonewall Jackson had 
crossed the Chickahominy and moved down the north bank 
of the stream, expecting to annihilate Porter, who had only 
two divisions and some regulars. On the way down, Jackson 
was joined by General Branch and x\. P. Plill, making a strong 
force composed of the flower of the rebel army. The artillery 
duel was a terrific one, which shook the earth, and which we 
had excitedly listened to in our camp. Porter had a strong 
position on Beaver Dam Creek and presented a bold front to 
the eneni}', who outnumbered him two to one. For hours the 
battle raged furiously and only ceased wdien night put an 
end to it. Hundreds were killed on both sides, and had the 
fight lasted a few hours longer, Porter would have been forced 
to give way. This was the fight we had listened to all dJIy, 
and were cheered at the report that it was a grand victory. 
It was well that we believed so; had we known that our right 
wing had been shattered, we would not have been so jubilant. 
Doubtless our officers had an inkling of the state of affairs, 
l)ut wisely kept it from us in order to instill confidence in 
the men. Be that as it may, we slept soundly that night in 
our camp in the swamp peninsula, and thus ended the second 
of the seven memorable battle-s before Richmond. 

Friday, June 27th, was another blistering hot day. Our 
boys were up at the first call of the bugle, expecting to have 
some work to do before night. We were all feeling good over 
the news receix'cd the previous evening, but about 10 o'clock 
the word came down from the right that changed the com- 
plexion of things, and we learned that Porter, instead of pur- 
ruing the enemy, had withdrawn his forces and taken up a 



116 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

new position. While this was a surprise, we did not consider 
it a defeat. We agreed that it was simply a ruse of Porter, 
who had merely fallen back in order to draw the rebels into 
a position where he could give them a severe Avhipping. We 
waited for the next move on the great chess board. 

At noon, heavy firing was again heard on the right. The 
cannonading was so heavy that the earth seemed to tremble 
and the deep rolling volleys of musketry could be plainly 
heard. Sometimes we imagined we could hear the cheering 
of the contending hosts, but that was imagination as the dis- 
tance was too great for that. There is something thrilling in 
listening to the uproar of a battle in which you are not 
engaged, and our men were restless and uneasy, gathering in 
groups, straining their ears, and indulging in speculation as 
to the outcome. Sometimes, owing to certain conditions of 
the atmosphere, the sound would become indistinct, and then 
we would say that our men were driving them, but soon again 
the awful roar would burst forth louder than ever, and then 
we believed our men were being driven back. All through 
that hot, sweltering afternoon the roar of battle never ceased 
for an instant, and we knew that blood was flowing freely and 
that thousands of our fellow creatures were being torn and 
mangled by shot and shell, and lives were being sacrificed 
in mighty numbers. 

General Porter had fallen back from Beaver Dam during 
the night and taken his position at Gaines' Mill. The enemy, 
flushed with the triumph of the preceding day, and with vastly 
superior numbers, dashed on Porter's forces with a bravery 
seldom witnessed. Porter's whole force numbered only 35,000 
men, while that of the enemy, according to their own his- 
torians, was over 60,000. The slaughters were terrible. It 
was here that Colonel Sam Black, commanding the Sixty- 
second Pennsylvania Volunteers, was killed. He was a gal- 
lant officer, and his loss was deeply felt. 

As evening approached the din of battle seemed to double 
in intensity, and Porter's weakened and battered army could 
stand it no longer, and the whole right wing, without disorder 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 117 

or panic, gradually fell back before the fierce charges of the 
foe. For about a mile they retreated, then halted, and forming 
their thin and bleeding ranks into a line of battle, again pre- 
pared to meet the enemy. Darkness put a stop to the fray, 
and both armies rested. 

The Union loss at this battle at Gaines' Mill is reported 
six thousand killed and wounded and two thousand prisoners, 
while that of the Gonfederates has been estimated at nine 
thousand. 

This was the third of the great battles before Richmond. 

At about 6 o'clock that evening, when the din of battle was 
at its worst, our brigade was ordered to move up toward the 
right. It seemed strange to be started out at that hour, but 
we were only moved up to hold a portion of the line which 
had been weakened by the men sent to reinforce Porter. 
Accordingl}^, we tramped a long distance through the dusk 
of the evening, not knowing where we were being taken, 
moving on until we reached the position occupied by General 
Richardson during the day, and who had been moved farther 
up to help Porter. 

It was between 9 and 10 o'clock when we were halted and 
told to lie down for the night. The roar of battle had ceased, 
but every now and then a battery on our side would suddenly 
open and be quickly answered by a battery on the other side. 
They would keep this up for some time and the air would be 
full of screaming and bursting shells, which frequently flew 
over our heads and sometimes dropped unpleasantly near us. 
The firing would then cease and a dead silence would follow, 
only to be broken soon again by another artillery duel, and 
this was kept up all night. Sometimes a Union battery would 
start the racket and at others a rebel one, but no matter 
which opened, it would be quickly answered from the other 
side. 

While this firing was kept up during the night, Porter was 
withdrawing his battered battalions to the other side of the 
river, preparatory to a general retreat of the whole army to 
the James River. None of us had any suspicion that th-is was 



118 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

in contemplation, and it was well that the men did not sus- 
pect such a move, not that the boys would have refused to 
obey their officers, but they would have felt keenl}^ discour- 
aged. If ever a set of men on God's earth showed bravery and 
discipline, it was the unfortunate Army of the Potomac. 

We lay in Richardson's camp until morning, when our regi- 
ment was moved out and placed on picket in the edge of a 
field close to the Chickahominy. Across the stream on our 
front was a long, sloping hill covered with small, straggling 
timber ; an old road ran along the face of the hill some distance 
up the side. We lay inside a fence, and while lying there, 
two rebel cavalrymen were seen riding along the upper road. 
John Haymaker pushed his musket through between the rails 
and began to sight along the barrel. Of course no one was 
allowed to fire while on picket, and after glancing along his 
gun awhile, John said: "I'll bet I could fetch one of them 
fellows." The' other boys at once began bantering him and 
John, who boasted he Avould never take a dare, fired, and down 
dropped one of the men. An officer came hurrying along the 
line to see who had fired but, strange to say, none of the boys 
had heard the shot and John was lying innocently on the grass 
and had heard nothing of a shot either. The other cavalry- 
man had put spurs to his horse and left hastily, and soon 
after we got orders to move. We moved back and went into 
camp along the W^ illiamsburg Road, about half a mile south 
of Savage Station. 

The private soldiers never dreamed that a retreat was about 
to be made in the face of the enemy, or that our situation was 
most critical, or that Stonewall Jackson was moving on White 
House Landing in our rear, where he would cut off our base 
of supplies thus placing us, as it were, between two armies. 
The day was quiet where we lay. The Army of the Potomac 
was stripping itself for the race and the terrible struggle that 
was before it. 

(3n Friday night. Porter transferred his entire force to the 
other side of the Chickahomin}^ preparatory to the movement 
of the- whole army to the James River. General McClellan 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 119 

moved his headquarters to Savage Station, and in spite of 
all that could be done to throw us on a false scent and to hide 
the real situation, ])y Sa'turday night the true condition of 
affairs began to make itself apparent to every mind, and the 
stern look that might be seen on every face showed that the 
men began to appreciate the situation and would meet it as 
true volunteer soldiers, men who had enlisted to fight and 
who would resist to the l)itter end. 

Officers arrived at and departed from headquarters in haste, 
orderlies were dashing to every part of the army; the gloom 
of the night was made more hideous by the constant arrival 
of ambulances bearing wounded. Like at Fair Oaks, the 
open grounds around the Savage House were again covered 
with a ghastly multitude of bleeding, groaning, dying men. 
There w^as Jio general engagement on this day (Saturday), 
but there was desultor}^ fighting in many places along the 
line. The enemy was looking for us on the banks of the 
Chickahominy, not anticipating our retreat to the James. 
Our men had destroyed the bridges over the Chickahominy 
when they had crossed on Frida}^ night. This was a com- 
plete surprise to the rebs, and for awhile it rendered them 
powerless to do us any material mischief. This was a God- 
send to us, as it gave McClellan time to get his immense train 
across \\'hiLe Oak swamp before the army began to move. 

The distance to the James River from Savage Station was 
seventeen miles, and a single road traversed it, a portion of it 
"corduroy," hastily made. Along this single line the immense 
train started, winding like a huge serpent through the gloomy 
recesses; there were between five thousand and six thousand 
wagons, besides immense droves of cattle. 

The tragic scenes of thai niglil in the hands of a fluent 
writer would mak'j interesting reading. I'rom where we la}' 
in our camp, all night long we could hear the passing of the 
troops, and we knew that our army was in full retreat; where 
to, we did not know, but we did know that we were to hold 
the dangerous position of the rear guard and would be called 



120 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

upon to do some desperate fighting when the morning light 
would dawn. 

Who that are left of the old Army of the Potomac will ever 
forget that Sunday, June 29th, when we lay at Savage Station 
as the rear guard, expecting the Confederate Army to appear 
in our front at every moment. 

The historian Pollard, in his "Lost Cause,' says that Lee's 
Army had been augmented by forces brought from the South, 
until it was vastly superior to McClellan's, whose army had 
been decimated by sickness and the terrible fighting it had 
undergone, until it was a mere skeleton compared to what it 
was Avhen it started from Hampton on the 4th day of April, 
scarcely three months before. Opposed to us was Lee with 
his grand army, Longstreet's, Hill's, Magruder's, and Pluger's 
divisions in our front, while Jackson, with his fierce fighters, 
was working around our right fiank and getting'well in our 
rear. Opposed to these were the two corps of Sumner and 
Heintzelman, the rest of the army being well on their way to 
the James River. 

The rear guard of an army is a most important affair, being 
expected to sacrifice itself for the good of the remainder of the 
army. It must fight, and fight with desperation, not to win a 
victory, but to hold back the enemy as long as possible, and 
when no longer able to do so, to retreat to another good posi- 
tion and again form line of battle and engage the enemy and 
endeavor to hold them sufficiently long for the advance to 
gain a good position. 

Sunday morning was hot and sultry, it was the sacred 
day of rest to the war-worn and weary Union troops. As soon 
as we had snatched our hasty breakfast, our regiment moved 
back a few hundred yards to a rise of ground within sight of 
the station, where we formed line of battle and awaited results. 

Savage Station had been made a distributing base of sup- 
plies, and there was piled up an immense stock of army rations 
consisting of crackers, meat, coffee, sugar, medical supplies, 
clothing, whiskey and ammunition. Not having teams to 
carry off these supplies, and to keep them from falling into the 





CAPTAIN 
WILL1AMJ.TH0MP3ON 

COMPANY D. 



CAPTAIN 

6.EMANUEL 6R03S., 
COMPANY D. 




CAPTAIN 

BERNARD J. REID. 

COMPANY F. 




CAPTAIN 

DAVIS SHIELDS. 

COMPANY F. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 121 

hands of the enemy, orders were given to destroy them. A 
long train of empty cars and an engine had come up from 
White House Landing before the place had fallen into the 
hands of the rebels. This train was filled with supplies, 
ammunition, kegs of powder, loaded shells, etc., steam was 
gotten up in the engine until it was hissing and trembling; fire 
was applied to each of the cars, and then a soldier got on the 
engine, pulled the throttle, and sprang to the ground. The 
whole train moved forward, slowly at first, but faster and 
faster until it was dashing down the track with wild fury. The 
rapid motion fanned the fire until it was soon a mass of flame. 
It resembled a huge, fiery monster, and its roar fairl}^ shook 
the bridge. The bridge over the river had been destroyed by 
our men on Saturday, and when the burning train reached the 
river, it plunged far out into the stream with a crash that could 
have been heard for miles. 

About ID o'clock the work of destruction began at Savage 
Station. Hundreds of barrels of coffee, rice, sugar, whiskey, 
boxes of crackers, barrels of meat, and other supplies were 
quickly destroyed and consigned to the flames. 

The hours passed on and noon came, but no enemy as yet 
appeared. Some of our boys ventured into a piece of woods in 
front and captured two rebel soldiers who were scouting. 
They brought them into our camp. One was an Irishman and 
the other a native Texan; the Texan was sullen, but the Irish- 
man, like all his countrymen, had plenty of talk. An Irishman 
belonging to Company H came along and struck up a con- 
versation Avith his rebel countryman. In a short time he 
learned that the rebel had come from the same place in Ireland 
that he had, and then it was all the guards could do to keep 
him from pitching into his fellow countryman and thrashing 
him for being a rebel. When he was prevented from fighting 
him, he gave him such a tongue lashing as only an Irishman 
could give. It was very amusing to the rest of us, but not at 
all funny to the prisoner. In front of our regiment was a rail 
fence. This we threw down and piled up the rails in a line and 
behind this slight defense we lay, looking over the open fields 
and to where they terminated in the dark pine woods where 



122 UNDER THID RED PATCH 

the enem}^ lay. \"arious changes in the disposition of our 
forces were going on. Now a long line of artillery passed on 
our right and took up a position on a rising ground, the bright 
brass guns gleaming in the sunlight, while the dark steel Par- 
rot guns looked black and threatening. The guns were unlim- 
bered, the horses taken to the rear, the ammunition chests 
opened, with the gunners lying down beside their pieces, and 
again all was an ominous silence. Then we saw a large body 
of infantry advance around our right and take up a position 
in an open field. While we were wondering what troops they 
were, a breeze blew open the folds of a flag and we saw the 
green flag of Ireland. Then we knew it was Meagher' fighting 
Irish brigade, and we felt that not a man in that brigade would 
yield while life lasted, and where that green flag would lead it 
would be followed by every true son of Erin, even into the 
very jaws of death. 

About 3 o'clock in the afternoon a report was circulated that 
a portion of the rebel army was attempting a flank movement 
in order to cut our line as it was passing on its way to James 
Ri\-er, and a portion of Heintzelman's corps was hurried 
toward the White Oak swamp, leaving General Sumner to 
meet the enemy at Savage Station. 

About 5 o'clock the rebel army fell upon Sumner in great 
numbers ; it began with a grand artillery duel, gun answered 
gun, and shell met shell in the air until it was an unceasing 
roar, and the very earth seemed to tremble. The artillery duel 
lasted nearly an hour when suddenly the whole mass of the 
enemy sprang forward with their peculiar panther yell, and 
charged on Sumner's lines; and noljly did the old soldier and 
his heroes meet them with a storm of fire that made them 
weaver and fiall back for some distance, but they soon rallied 
and the firing was incessant. Peal on peal from the cannon, 
volley on volley of musketry, yells and screams, until it formed 
a picture that will never be efifaced from memory while life 
lasts. The fight continued to rage until aljout 9 o'clock when 
the firing gradually slackened, and the rebels withdrew, com- 
pletely whipped by the gallant body of Sumner's brave men. 
During that night we plodded our way through the dark 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD- REMIMENT 123 

recesses of the dismal \\'hite Oak swamp and about 2 o'clock 
in the morning- our tired forces emerged from it and came out 
on hard ground. We were halted and all threw ourselves on 
the ground and each man went to sleep where he lay. 

Monday morning", June 30th, was one of the hottest of that 
summer. We were aroused early by the bugle call, and weary 
and cross, the men got up and we began to look at our sur- 
roundings. On our right lay the Pennsylvania Reserves and 
on our left lay the Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment, 
while farther down the slope in front of us, lay the fighting 
Irish boys of the Eighty-seventh New York. The heat of the 
day caused the men to suffer greatly from thirst and no water 
could be found anywhere. When a well was reached along- 
side the road it was so crowded with thirsty men that it was 
impossible to procure an}^ water, and we never felt the heat 
more than on that day. After marching for several miles 
along a plateau, we turned toward the right and descended a 
long hill and debouched into an immense grain field, and were 
halted. As soon as we came to a halt, several of us took our 
canteens and started off on the hunt for water. After going 
along for sometime we came to the Eighth Pennsylvania 
Reserves, where we met a number of Braddock friends, and 
there found a spring of dsliciously cold water, and we drank 
until we feared we would founder. While with the Reserves, 
cannonading was heard on ou" right and we hurried back to 
the regiment. The firing on our right was by General 
Slocum's men who were in a h t fight with the enemy who 
had followed our retreating arn.y through the White Oak 
swamp to where the corduroy roi'.d had been destroyed, and 
where General Slocum had been poj.?d to stop their advance. 
It was a hard fight, but our men h:id successfully held the 
enemy from advancing any farther. Our regiment prepared 
for the mighty encounter that seemed inevitable. Just in 
front of our line there was an old-fashioned "worm" fence 
which had been thrown down, and behind this slight protec- 
tion our men were lying. In front of us was an open plain 
of about three-quarters of a mile, and just beyond this a woods 
behind which the enemy was lying. About half way between 



124 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

US and these woods was a negro cabin in which were domiciled 
a number of slaves. The recond line was placed about three 
hundred yards in our rear, obliquely to our right, on a rising 
ground, while the Irish Brigade of four thousand men under 
General Meagher, was stationed as a general reserve, to be let 
loose at the proper moment of the battle. A section of a 
battery was stationed about two hundred yards in front of us, 
with the horses taken out, the guns unlimbered, and the artil- 
lery men lying on the ground beside their guns and caissons, 
waiting for the ball to open. 

There were two roads by which the enemy could reach us 
from Richmond, viz. : The Charles City Road, running a 
short distance south of White Oak swamp, and the Derby- 
town Road, nearer the James River. By these two roads A. P. 
Hill and the other rebel generals had poured all their mighty 
hosts, except that portion which had followed Sumner through 
the swamp, and which Slocum had checked and prevented 
from attacking our rear. The object of the rebels was to 
strike McClellan's weary columns as they emerged from the 
tangle of the swamp, and crush them before they could reach 
the river. There was a third road called the New Market 
Road, and on this one McCall's Pennsylvania Reserves were 
posted, but McClellan had used such expedition and his 
columns were pushed on so rapidly that they had cleared the 
swamp and had time to form lines of battle before the enemy 
had come within striking distance. 

The Sixty-third was in the first line behind an extemporized 
breastwork of fence rails, waiting for the attack. Every now 
and then one of our cannons in front of us, would send a 
shell flying into the woods in our front, and again all would 
be still as death. The enemy paid no attention to these compli- 
ments sent by the artillery, but maintained the ominous silence 
which precedes the storm. 

We had piled up our knapsacks, blankets, shelter tents, etc., 
before the battle began, and that was the last we ever saw of 
them, for when the battle ended our lines had fallen back and 
the Johnnies had possession of them. 

We will never forget the awful stillness that reigned just 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REMIMENT 125 

before the opening of this fight. The men seldom spoke and 
when they did it was in low, quick tones. When the ears are 
deafened by the roaring of cannon, the crashing of musketry, 
the shrieking and bursting of shells, the yelling and shouting 
of furious combatants, the soldier loses all fear and the veriest 
coward will not think of running away, but will fire and yell, 
yes, and swear like a madman; but it is a severe strain on the 
men to lie, momentarily expecting the carnage to begin. 

All at once, from away in front, came three cannon shots 
at regular intervals, and we knew instinctively that it was the 
signal for some decided move of the enemy. Scarcely had the 
echoes of the last shot died away, when a most furious cannon- 
ade burst forth against IMcCall's Reserves. The discharges 
were so rapid that it was impossible to count them. This took 
place about 3 o'c.lock. McCall was not slow in answering, 
and soon shot answered shot and shell met shell, and the air 
was full of the missiles of death. 

The tremendous artillery duel lasted about three-quarters 
of an hour, when almost instantly the woods in front of McCall 
seemed to open, and thousands upon thousands of men in gray 
rushed forth and opened a fearful fire of musketry. 

From where the Sixt3'-third lay we had a good view of the 
fight against McCall, and as we had not as yet come under 
the enemy's fire, we had nothing to do but gaze at the con- 
flict, and it was a grand as well as a terrific sight. McCall's 
batteries were nobly served, and hurled grape, canister and 
shells into the charging columns. We could see great gaps 
made in their lines, yet they never seemed to halt, but closing 
up their shattered ranks, pressed on still with desperate fury, 
advancing with their panther-like yells which, once heard, are 
never forgotten. 

The reserves made several daring charges, but it was like 
charging against a rock. Flesh and blood could not stand such 
desperate fighting against superior numbers and the line of 
reserves was gradually forced back, but at no time was it 
broken. The ground was literally covered with dead and 
\^ounded men and horses. Sometimes the fighting was hand 



126 UXDER THE RED PATCH 

to hand. During the fighting, General AlcCall was taken 
prisoner. 

After attacking ]\lcCall, the enemy paid his respects to our 
line. At first they opened a heavy cannonading on us from the 
woods on our front, their shells bursting away up in the air. 
They came so fast that the sky was dotted with the puffs of 
smoke from the exploding shells. Had they kept their range 
the result would have been harmless to us, but they soon began 
to lovv'er the range and the shells burst nearer. At last they 
got our exact position, and their shells began to fall in amongst 
us. A short distance to the right of where we lay, a ponderous 
shell struck the rails and exploded in Company G. When the 
cloud of dust, smoke, and broken fragments of fence rails 'had 
been cleared away, there were eight men lying there, torn and 
mangled almost beyond recognition. Had the enemy kept that 
range longer, our whole line would have Had to fall back or 
be annihilated, but they still kept lowering it until the shells 
struck the ground in front of us, ricochetted, and fell among 
the men composing the second line. In the meantime our bat- 
teries worked ra])idly, especially Randall's, which returned 
the enem3''s fire with interest. This was kept up for nearly an 
hour. 

An amusing incident occurred at the negro cabin midway 
between our lines and the woods where the enemy was massed. 
This caljin contained quite a number of negroes of all ages. 
After our lines had been .formed, an aide to General Kearney 
rode up to the place and told them to get out of that, as it was 
likely a heav}^ battle would soon be raging there and they 
would be in the very center of it. They did not seem to realize 
their danger and paid no attention to him, but stood outside 
their cabin gazing at the soldiers taking up their positions. It 
was a new experience to these simple-minded people, they 
never having seen such large bodies of men before, and they 
stood looking on in a kind of dazed condition, not realizing 
that they were in an}^ danger. When the rebels opened their 
artillery fire on us, the first shells burst over the cabin, and 
then those negroes swarmed. If there was anything that a 
negro was more afraid of than another^ it was a screeching 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REMIMENT 12 7 

shell, and they would always fly when one came near. At 
about the time the third shell burst they were seen leaving 
their cabin and hunting for solitude. Here they came, old and 
young, men, women and children, most of them carrying 
bundles, but the center of attraction was a big fat darkey who 
led the procession, and all he carried was a scare big enough 
for the vrhole crowd, lie had nothing on but his shirt and 
pantaloons, being bareheaded and barefooted. His head was 
thrown back, his face was the color of ashes, his eyes stuck 
out like two buckeyes thrown against a mud wall ; his mouth 
was opening and shutting like a fish out of water, and he made 
more steps to the minute and fewer to the mile than he had 
ever done before. Every now' and then a shell would burst 
close to him, and his leaps were vv'onderful. He ran right over 
our line and kept on. Our bo3^s yelled at him as he passed, but 
he paid no attention ; soon we heard the rear end give him 
another, l)ut on he went ; he never stopped short of the James 
River. The sight of this coon was a kind of consolation to all 
of us as we were glad to know there was somebod}^ worse 
scared than we were. 

All at once vast numbers of men in gra}' were seen rushing 
out of the woods in our front, and our time had come for 
bloody work. General Kearney spoke cheering words to his 
men and each resolved to do or die. The fighting of the Con- 
federates was terrific and their bravery unexcelled, though 
our volleys strewed the ground w-ith thousands, they never 
faltered, but closing up their gaps came on undauntedly. The 
hardest fighting raged around the negro house, and at one 
time our color sergeant. Will Weeks, held the Sixty-third 
colors at one corner, while a rebel color bearer held his at the 
other corner, so close were w^e to each other. Kearney was 
everywhere, encouraging and cheering his men. Thompson's 
battery mowed down the rebels by whole ranks, but they ;till 
came on ; they seemed to spring out of the earth so many of 
them were there. 

The Confederates fell back sullenly, and so ended the P.attle 
of Nelson's Farm, of^cially known as Glendale, being the 



12 8 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

sixth of the bloody seven clays' fighting", and one of the 
bloodiest of the seven. 

After the battle, General Kearney saluted Colonel Hays and 
said : "Colonel, you and your men did nobly, and as soon as 
we got into permanent camp your men shall be excused from 
all duty, except your own camp guard, for thirty days; I shall 
see that they get it." 

Afte;- our arrival at Harrison's Landing, he kept his word 
and the men had nothing to do but police duty, swim and 
bathe in the James River, and eat "soft bread" with plenty of 
butter, j.clly, jams and other good things too numerous to 
mention. The regiment remained at Harrison's Landing from 
July 2nd to August 13th, and during that time the Sixty-third 
was not called upon to do any extra duty. General Kearney 
was always friendly to the regiment, and was the boon com- 
panion and intimate friend of Colonel Hays. 

This is, we believe, the only case on record during the war 
where a regiment received such a compliment, especially from 
such a stern disciplinarian as General Kearney. 

General Kearney, in his official report of the Battle of Nel- 
son's Farm, or Glendale, says : 

"At 4 o'clock p. m. the attack commenced with vigor, and in such 
masses as I had never w^itnessed.. Thompson's Battery, directed 
with great skill, literally swept the slightly falling open space with 
the completest execution, and mowing them down by ranks, would 
cause the survivors to a momentary halt, but almost instantly after 
increased masses came up and the wave bore on. These masses 
coming up with a rapid run, covering the entire breadth of the 
open ground, some two hundred paces, would alone be checked in 
their career by the gaps of the fallen. Still no retreat, and again 
a fresh mass would carry on the approaching line still nearer. If 
there was one man in this attack there must have been ten thousand, 
and their loss by artillery, although borne with such fortitude, 
must have been unusual. It was by scores, with the irrepressibility 
of numbers, on they persisted. The artillery, destructive as it was, 
ceased to be a calculation. It was then that Colonel Alexander 
Hays, with the Sixty-third Pennsylvania, and half of the Thirty- 
seventh New York, was moved forward to the line of the guns. I 
have here to call the attention of my superior chiefs to this most 
heroic action on the part of Colonel Hays and his regiment. The 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REMIMENT 129 

Sixty-third has won for Pennsylvania tlie laurels of fame. That 
which grape and canister failed in effecting, was now accomplished 
by the determined charge and rapid volleys of this foot. The 
enemy, at the muzzle of our guns for the first time, sulkily retired 
fighting. Subsequently ground having been gained the Sixty-third 
Pennsylvania was ordered to 'lie low,' and the battery once more 
opened its ceaseless work of destruction. 

"This battle saw renewed three' onsets as above, with similar 
vicissitudes, when finally the enemy betokened his efforts as passed, 
by converting his charges into ordinary line fight of musketry, 
embracing the whole front of the brigade, for by this period he was 
enabled to do so from Thompson's pieces having left the field, after 
expending their grape, and become tired of the futility of round 
shot." 

General Berry, in a letter to Colonel Hays, says : 

Headquarters Third Brigade, 

July 11, 1862. 
Sir: — It affords me great pleasure to address you at this time, par- 
ticularly on the subject matter of the battle of Nelson's farm, or 
Charles City, as it is sometimes called. I had the honor to command 
the reserve brigade of our division. I was ordered by General 
Kearney to hold myself and command ready at all times to render 
aid to the First and Second Brigades. This being so, I watched the 
movements of the enemy and our own men' with the most intense 
Interest. You, sir, and your brave men were placed near to and 
ordered to support Thompson's Battery. Never was work better 
done, or battery better supported, and it is a great pleasure to me 
to be able to say it, and it is also my duty to say it, that I have not 
in my career in military life seen better fighting or a work better 
done. I should fear to try to do better with any troops I have ever 
seen. 'Tis enough to say your fighting was a perfect success. 

Allow me, my brave friend, to tender to you my congratulations 
for honors won on many fields, particularly this one named here, and 
to assure you of my kind regards for your health, happiness and 
prosperity in life. I am sir, with much respect. 

Your friend and servant, 

H. G. BERRY, 
COLONEL ALEXANDER HAYS, Brig. Gen. Vols. 

63rd Regiment, Penna. Vols. 

General Snniner says of this battle that it was "the most 
severe action since the Battle of Fair Oaks," and General 
Heintzelman, in his official report, states that "the attack com- 
menced at 4 p. m. and was pushed by heavy masses with the 



130 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

utmost determination and vigor. The whole open space, two 
hundred paces wide, was filled with the enemy, — each repulse 
brought fresh troops. The third attack was only repulsed by 
the rapid volleys and determined charge of the Sixty-third 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel Hays commanding." 

No army but the Army of the Potomac could have stood 
such heavy pounding without becoming demoralized. For six 
days the enemy, in overpowering numbers, had been dashing 
on our lines with desperate bravery, and though our losses 
were very great, still that devoted force shook itself togethsr 
and presented a bold front to the exultant foe. 

The fighting had ceased by 9 o'clock that night. The rebels 
lay on their side of the battlefield and we on ours, while 
between the lines lay thousands of dead and'wounded soldiers 
of both armies. Both sides claimed that the other's loss was 
the heavier, but there was not much difference, it was really 
a drawn battle, neither side had gained anything; but alas, 
we had to leave our dead and Avounded on the field. 

About 12 o'clock the word was quietly passed along the line 
to "fall in," and the tired and worn-out soldiers began to drag 
their weary limbs into column again for another tramp. We 
knew we were heading towards the James River, and we also 
knew that the morrow would be another day of carnage and 
death to many, but to the everlasting honor of the boys, but 
little grumbling was heard, and no one shirked his duty. 

Soon we were in line and moved ofif quietly and slowly lest 
the enemy, hearing our departure, should make another attack 
which was not wanted at that time, and once more the head 
of the Army of the Potomac plunged into the darkness of the 
night on its memorable retreat. 

We went some distance along the Newmarket Road, and 
this led us over a portion of the ground where the reserves 
had done their hard fighting. We saw here enough to show 
the terrible struggle that had taken place, — all along the road 
the dead were thickly strewn, while the wounded men lay 
moaning and groaning on every side. The universal cry was 
"Water! Water!" uttered in such piteous tones that none but 
hearts of stone could withstand it. We gave the poor fellows 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REMIMENT 131 

all that remained in our canteens, and left them in the darkness 
to moan out their sufferings, knowing that before the sun 
would again rise, many would have passed away from all suf- 
fering and trouble. 

After marching some distance along this road we turned to 
the left. We passed through woods, then along a road with 
cleared fields on each side, then down a sloping hill into what 
appeared to be a swampy country, then again up a long hill 
and across a level plateau ; and thus we trudged wearily 
through the darkness, making frequent halts for short rests. 
During these halts we would sit down by the roadside and in a 
few minutes would be fast asleep; then be hurried again into 
line, to move on. 

There was one peculiar incident that occurred during one 
of these halts which came near precipitating a panic among 
the men. It occurred while we were going down a long hill. 
A mule belonging to a New York Regiment some distance in 
our rear, laden with camp kettles, had become frightened or 
possessed of the devil's spirit belonging to a mule, ran off and 
came tearing down the line lickety split, the kettles clashing 
together and making more noise than a boiler shop in full 
blast. He was mixing some powerful kicking with his run- 
ning and knocking the camp kettles in every direction. Every 
man sprang to his feet grasping his gun, not knowing what to 
make of it, and only for the coolness of the offtcers, it might 
have resulted in a panic. All old soldiers know how easil}^ a 
panic can be started at night when something occurs of which 
the boys cannot see the cause. 

Next morning (Tuesday, July ist) we reached the base of 
Malvern Hill and in a short time were assigned to our station, 
where w^e ate a frugal breakfast of hard tack and Waited for 
the coming storm, well knowing it would be the final one, for 
if we did not drive the enemy back here, it was all up with us. 

Malvern Hill is an elevation of about 150 feet in height, 
with the James River on the south. To the north are open 
fields for nearly a mile and a half long and three-quarters of 
a mile wide. On this hill and on the slope General McClellan 
had planted his artillery, consisting of about three hundred 



132 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

pieces of all sizes, so arranged as to sweep the fields in front. 
Five gun boats lay in the James River waiting to take part 
in the coming battle. Our regiment had been assigned a posi- 
tion where it was not exposed, hence our casualties were but 
few that day. It began shortly after noon, but the rebels did 
not make their grand attack until about 4 p. m., and their 
charges were most desperate, but our men mowed them down 
like grain before the scythe. At half past five. General 
Magruder made his last desperate charge, which was repulsed 
with heav}^ loss to the rebels, and the battle was over. 

As darkness closed upon the scene, who can ever forget the 
grand cheer that broke from regiment to regiment and from 
brigade to brigade, until the echoes were caught up by the 
surrounding woods and rolled along the river banks in one 
grand pean of victory. Doubtless the fleeing enemy heard 
these cheers of victory, and felt all the more depressed over 
their bitter defeat. 

The following graphic description of the battles of Glendale 
and Malvern Hill, was written by Captain Bernard J. Reid, 
of Company F, of the Sixty-third : 

"Late in the afternoon of Sunday, June 28th, Robinson's (late 
Jameson's) Bi'igade of Kearney's Division, having been the rear 
guard on the Williamsburg Road during the day, were ordered to 
pass White Oak swamp at the upper ford to protect the right flank 
of the retreating army. The ford was impassat>le by artillery, the 
new corduroy road and bridge recently constructed by Keys' corps, 
having been torn up, and mounted officers found great difficulty jn 
passing the swamp. When the head of the column reached the high 
ground on the south side, it was fired upon by pickets and skirmish- 
ers of the enemy, and General Kearney, who just then reached the 
ford, ordered a countermarch rather than bring on an engagement 
prematurely, and the trains, not having all had time to pass at the 
crossings below. The swamp was passed by the brigade at a bridge 
two miles below, after dark, and we rested on our arms in the high 
ground beyond till daybreak, when we moved on to the intersecting 
of our road with the Charles City. Here the brigade was massed in 
column, while scouts and skirmishers were thrown out, up and across 
the Charles City Road, feeling for the enemy's approach on our 
right flank. We rested two or three hours without any tidings of the 
foe, and then moved on towards Malvern and were posted in a large 
clover and oats field to the right of our road and on the near side of 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REMIMENT 133 

the Xewmarket Road. The day was clear and beautiful and the men, 
unslinging their knapsacks, pitched their shelter tents for the sake 
of the shade they afforded, and after the fatigues and marches of the 
last few days and nights, most of them made a bed on the luxurious 
verdure beneath, to seek a few hours of much-needed sleep and rest. 
There had been considerable cannonading early in the day in the 
direction of White Oak swamp, where we were holding the enemy, 
but towards noon all became still and calm as any rustic scene could 
be in time of peace. It was the death-like stillness preceding the 
tornado, so quiet it seemed that being bi-monthly muster day, the 
Sixty-third was regularly mustered, as though we were secure in 
permanent camp or barracks. Scarcely was the ceremony over when 
there arose symptoms of break in the unusual calm, and early in the 
afternoon an occasional cannon shot was heard. 

Our position was at the intersection of the Newmarket Road with 
a road on which we had advanced that Monday morning, June 30th, 
from the upper side of White Oak swamp towards the James, on 
the right flank of the main body of the retreating army, the head 
of which was Porter, and already reached communications with our 
gunboats at Turkey Bend. On the left, as we approached the cross- 
ing of the roads, there were woods which extended on that side some 
distance and beyond were fields on both sides, the cleared land lying 
in an L shape, and its angle of woods on our left. McCall's Division 
was posted beyond the Xewmarket Road and nearly parallel with it, 
with its back to the woods. Kearney's Division was on McCall's 
immediate right with its back to the same angle of woods, the two 
lines thus forming an L with its point outwards toward the enemy. 
The opposite woods on Kearney's front were some three hundred 
yards distant; those fronting McCall about twice that. The Sixty- 
third was on the extreme left of Kearney's Division, its left resting 
on the Xewmarket Road, and connecting there with McCall's extreme 
right, at the angle of the line. Thompson's Battery of the Fourth 
United States Artillery was posted in the field in our front, and to 
us was assigned the duty of supporting it. About 3 o'clock the 
ominous stillness of the last few hours was broken by a furious attack 
of artillery and infantry on McCall's position, followed rapidly by a 
similar one on us. The enemy, in great force, under Longstreet and 
Hill, debouched by the Newmarket Road in our front and deployed 
in the edge of the woods on both sides of the road, seemed determined 
to carry that position and capture our battery at all hazards. For 
a long time we were the only regiment of the division actively 
engaged as the point of attack did not extend farther to the right 
than the ground we held, whilst to the left it extended the whole 
length of McCall's position. When the enemy first appeared and 
began its advance across the open space commanded by Captain 



134 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

Thompson's guns, the Sixty-third was faced about, marched a few 
paces to the rear, and ordered to lie low outside in the edge of the 
field. Here we then remained for half an hour, restive under shot 
and shell and whistling bullets, which we could not answer. We had 
nothing to do but watch with intense interest the effect of Captain 
Thompson's and Lieutenant Butler's splendid artillery practice in 
breaking the ranks of the advancing foe, and for a considerable time 
holding them in check. The enemy maddened, it seemed by the 
unexpected check, formed in new line with most likely new troops, 
and charged with a run and a yell as if determined to reach the 
battery and take it, cost what it might. Then "Up! up! boys! 
charge!" was the expected command of Colonel Hays, and away went 
the Sixty-third, with a counter yell and bristling bayonets, passing 
the field pieces, and bearing down with a rush on the enemy who, 
already staggered by the gaps made by the grape and canister at 
close range, fell back and sought safety in the woods. The Sixty- 
third then fell back and took a position close in front of the muzzles 
of the field pieces, lying low so that the artillery could fire over us, 
and keeping up a relentless fire upon the rebels in the edge of the 
woods, and whenever they renewed the advance in the open fields, as 
they did repeatedly during the afternoon. During all this time they 
were subjected to a galling front and cover fire from the enemy's 
artillery and infantry posted in the woods on both fronts of the 
exposed position we were to hold. About 6 o'clock we were rein- 
forced by a part of the Thirty-seventh New York sent by General 
Kearney to our assistance, but they deployed in the field behind us; 
the iron and lead hail they had to face was so fearful that their 
officers had difficulty in getting them up to our position in front of 
the guns. 

Three times before darkness clouded the sun did the Sixty-third 
charge upon the advancing columns of the enemy and drive them 
back before the guns. All the time Captain Thompson and his gal- 
lant men were handling the pieces most beautifully, and the effect 
of grape, canister, shrapnel, and solid shot, as they alternated in 
the fight, was absolutely terrific, opening wide lanes in the advanc- 
ing columns and piling the ground with heaps of dead and wounded. 
At sundown Captain Thompson informed Colonel Hays that his 
ammunition was about spent, and that if the enemy should make 
another charge he feared he might lose his guns. Just then a fresh 
line appeared from the opposite woods; it seemed as if they were 
ready with reserves, constantly brought forward to replace the shat- 
tered ranks of regiment after regiment that had attempted to take 
that battery and failed. 'Give them another. Captain,' said Colonel 
Hays, 'and leave the rest to me.' Captain Thompson withheld his 
fire until the enemy had advanced about half way and then, at very 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REMIMENT 135 

short range, opened on them with staggering effect, followed by the 
last charge of the Sixty-third. The two lines met at the negro house 
in the field. A portion of the rebel line gave way at first and fell 
back towards the woods, firing as they retreated, whilst the rest, 
under cover of the intervening house and garden, stood their ground 
for awhile until driven off in a hand-to-hand encounter. Meantime 
the exhausted battery was withdrawn and replaced by DeRussey's, 
and as it was growing dark, Meagher's Irish Brigade came up the 
road at the double quick, and the Sixty-third was relieved after one 
of the hardest fought five hours of the war. 

Next day, at Malvern Hill, the regiment had not so prominent a 
part to perform; after reaching the ground near Crew's house and 
resting till noon, it was ordered to the right center and posted in a 
ravine some distance in the rear of the line of battle, to be in readi- 
ness to support them if required. Their only annoyance during the 
day was from shot and shell from the enemy's batteries falling among 
them, but the casualties were few and light." 

Following is the ofiicial report by Colonel Hays, of the Bat- 
tle of Malvern Hill, Va. : 

In Camp, near Weston, Va. 

July 4, 1862. 
Adjutant General First Brigade, Third Division,. Third Corps: 

Sir: — I have the honor to furnish the following statement of the 
movements of the Sixty-third and Fifty-seventh Regiments, Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers, combined, which I had the honor to command 
on the 1st inst. 

After undergoing severe shelling from the enemy's batteries for 
several hours, in which the Sixty-third had two men wounded, and 
the Fifty-seventh one commissioned and one non-commissioned killed, 
and eight men, commissioned officers and privates, wounded, the 
Sixty-third, Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania and Eighty-seventh New 
York Regiments, were detached from the brigade, and ordered to sup- 
port Couch's Division. 

Under instructions from Brigadier General Kearney, to act at 
discretion, we successfully supported a battery from Couch's Divis- 
ion, and also later in the evening. Captain DeRussey's Battery, U. S. 
Artillery, until his ammunition was exhausted. During the night 
strict guard was kept by the command. At daylight, discerning that 
Couch's and Kearney's divisions had been withdrawn, I fell back, 
to the camp of the day before, one mile in the rear. 

Here I received a request from Colonel Averill, of the cavalry, to 
prepare certain Government wagons for burning, which was done, 



136 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

and the command afterwards marched to join the division at this 
point. 

In the supi)ort of DeRussey's battery the Sixty-third lost two 
privates, disabled. No other casualties. 

Respectfully submitted, 

ALEXANDER HAYS, 
Col. 63rd Regt., Pa. Vols. 





CAPTAIN 

.CHARLES W./^-JHENRY. 

COA^PANY G. 



CAPTAIN 

vWlLLlA/^ H.JEFFRIES^ 

CO/APANV Ij. 




CAPTAIN 
DANIEL D0U6HERTY/ 
COA\PANY H. 



CAPTAIN 

DAVID C. CRAWFORD, 

COMPANY 1. 



CHAPTER VI. 

(From June 30, 1862, to January 23, 1863.) 



At Harrison's Landing— The Fourth of July in Camp— In Retreat, 
Second Battle of Bull Run— Foolsville and Conrads' Ferry- 
Fording THE Potomac— BuRNSiDE in Command of the Army — 
Battle of Fredericksburg, Burnside's :sIud March. 



"OUR LEFT" 
[Second Bull Run, August 30, 1862.] 

From dawn to dark they stood 
That long midsummer day. 

While fierce and fast 

The battle-blast 
Swept rank on rank away. 

From dawn to dark they fought, 
With legions torn and cleft; 

And still the wide 

Black battle tide 
Poured deadlier on "Our Left." 

They closed each ghastly gap; 

They dressed each shattered rank; 
They knew — how well — ■ 
That f.-eedom fell 
With that exhausted flank. 

"Oh, for a thousand men 

Like these that melt away!" 
And down they came 
With steel and flame 
Four thousand to the fray! 

Right through the blackest cloud 

Their lightning path they cleft; 
And triumph came, 
With deathless fame 
To our unconquered "Left." 

Ye of your sons secure. 

Ye of your dead bereft — 

Honor the brave 

Who died to save 

Your all upon "Our Left." 

— Francis O. Ticknor, 



138 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

*■ I ' H E army was safe at last, and the terrible struggle that 
had been kept up since the 25th of June was over. We 
had been pressed by overwhelming numbers, allowed no time 
to rest, almost without sleep for a week, scarcely allowed to 
snatch a morsel of food, fighting every day, leaving our dead 
and wounded scattered from Gaines' Mill to the James River, 
we had fought our way out of the very jaws of destruction; 
is it any wonder that we cheered joyfully when the hitherto 
triumphant enemy, whipped and beaten, was in full flight? 

The Confederate Government had put forth its mightiest 
efifort to crush ]\IcClellan, and had failed. Our losses in these 
seven days' battles are given at fifteen thousand, but the enemy 
had sufifered more heavily. 

In conversation with the rebel prisoners, they all agreed that 
the Battle of Malvern Hill was the most dreadful affair ever 
witnessed. "Wliy," said one, "It was a rain of bullets and 
shells, and it's a wonder how^ one of us escaped." 

An old Virginian said, "This war is not natural, it is like 
brothers fighting, but we will never give up now." 

A big, brawny prisoner, belonging to a Texas regiment, 
spoke up : "Say, look here, Yank, we whipped you every day, 
from Seven Pines to Malvern Hill; we made you hump your- 
selves, and will keep it up, too; you got the best of us at Mal- 
vern, but we licked you six days, so we can afford to stand 
one defeat. I tell you, you can never conquer us." 

We rested that night on the field, and though it rained 
heavily, so worn out and exhausted were we that we slept 
soundly with the rain pelting us and saturating our clothing. 
The next morning we moved a few miles down the river to 
Harrison's Landing, wdierc we went into camp. The sick, and 
many of the wounded, where brought to the Landing, car- 
ried on board transports and taken to hospitals at Philadel- 
phia, New York and other northern cities. 

At last the great struggle was over, and McClellan's tired 
and battered army had time to breathe and gain strength for 
more desperate struggles that were yet before it. 

As we gathered up our shattered fragments, after the Battle 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REMIMENT 139 

of Malvern Hill, only two hnndrcd and seventy-eig"ht men were 
fit for duty out of o\er one thousand that had started out a few 
months before. Where were the others? In the glooni}^ fens 
of Yorktown, on the bloody field of Fair Oaks and Seven Pines 
many had laid down their lives ; in the pestilential swamps of 
the Chiekahominy the deadly fever had carried ofif many more, 
and the terrible Seven Da3's' Battles had claimed their quota 
of dead, until of a full and complete regiment of stalwart men, 
less than three hundred were left to answer roll call. 

But now we had our rest and in the conversations around 
the camp fires, the talk was of a little more cheerful character, 
and we began to see light ahead and still discussed our 
triumphant entry into Richmond. How wisely does Heaven 
hide the future from our view. 

The night after we had arrived at Harrison's Landing, the 
rain fell in torrents, and as we had lost our blankets, shelter 
tents, overcoats and extra clothing at Nelson's Farm, we were 
without protection from the deluge, but notwithstanding all 
this we slept soundly, not heeding the pelting of the rain that 
soaked every thread of our clothes, so utterly worn out and 
exhausted were we, suffering for sleep and rest. The morning 
broke dark and dismal, the rain still fell and a chilly wind came 
up from the river that caused us all to shiver, though it was 
the 2nd day of July. The boys were a bedraggled set of hard- 
looking creatures and cross ; dear, oh dear, how they did growl 
and grumble and "cuss" as the}' tried to build fires with the 
wet soggy wood, blinding themselves with smoke, burning 
their fingers, and then, when they had almost succeeded, the 
fire would give a gasp, and die out ; but when we did succeed, 
how we enjoyed that tin of black, strong cofifee. It is a wonder 
our stomach were not ruined by the dreadfully strong cofifee 
we used to gulp down. 

The James River at Flarrison's Landing is very wide and 
transports were enabled to come close to the shore, laden with 
army supplies. 

The army was strung along the river for quite a distance 
and reached out several miles from the shore. The Sixty- 



140 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

third was situated about two miles from the river in a pleasant 
grove of young pine trees, and the contrast from the gloomy 
swamps, where we had been cooped up for so long, was a most 
pleasant one, but after we had established our camp, the ter- 
rible strain, added to the exposure and hardships we had 
endured, began to tell on the men who had hitherto retained 
their health, and much sickness prevailed. A number of vol- 
unteer doctors joined us, and they did their best for the boys. 
The change from the poisonous air of the swamps to the pure 
breezes was very beneficial, and the boys began to recover 
rapidly and gain vitality. 

It was here that Dr. MHiitesell, of Deer Creek, Pa., came to 
us, and his skill and kind efforts did wonders for our sick. 
He was a noble man, but while doing everything in his power 
for our sick, he was suddenly stricken down and died, regretted 
by all in the Sixty-third Regiment, who still remember him and 
revere his memory. 

The following piece of doggerel, written by the inimitable 
Polk McCullough on our retreat, notwithstanding its crudity, 
is so expressive of conditions of affairs that we reproduce a 
portion of it : 

"So our base we had to change 
Out of range, and our trains 
Down toward the River James. 

They were sent to the shore; 
Then when the fight begun 
There was fun for each one. 
For we made the Johnnies run — ■ 
Only we run on before. 

For when the rebels sought us, 
Then they caught us and they fought us, 
And they made the place so hot 
That we no longer there could stay. 
But we hurried and we scurried 
And we ran off toward the river 
And skedaddle was the tune 
That we played on our way." 

The word "skedaddle" was born in the army, and became, as 
it were, a household word among the boys who used it on 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REMIMENT 141 

every occasion to denote rapid transit, which we were often 
compelled to perform. 

Friday, July 4th, dawned bright and clear, one of those 
beautiful days which we sometimes had in Virginia and which, 
with the many dark, murky ones, w^as the more striking. The 
air was balmy and mild, the sky a most beautiful blue, and the 
sun brilliant and revivifying. The rain drops hung like jewels 
on the trees and the beautiful, blue river looked like a mirror. 
It was just the kind of a day to cheer up and animate the bat- 
tered and worn-out soldiers, who soon began to feel its influ- 
ence, and then we remembered that it was the great National 
day, the glorious Fourth of July. As we sat by our little fires, 
getting our scanty breakfasts, our minds traveled back over 
the past year to the previous Fourth of July and w'e found it 
very hard to realize that only a year had passed away since 
then. What startling changes had taken place ; only one year 
ago and we were in our pleasant homes in the North, where 
everything was quiet and peaceful. War was then only an 
ideal afifair. True, w'e were all talking war, and expecting 
to engage in it, but at that distance it had a more romantic 
aspect than it presented now. \\'e looked upon the war as a 
grand and glorious affair in which we would all signalize our- 
selves by deeds of bravery and with a succession of brilliant 
victories, soon achieve a grand success and bring the struggle 
to a happy termination. In short, we all looked upon the war 
as a glorious pageant in which the waving of flags, thrilling 
martial music and all the ])omp and pageantry of which we 
dreamed would be the salient poinL But this morning, as we 
sat on the banks of the mighty Ja/.^es River, and looked at 
our ragged and nuiddy hosts, and remembered all we had 
come through within the past twelve months, our ideas of war 
underwent a great change. 

About noon a National salute was fired by the artillery in 
honor of the day, but the enthusiasm was of a mild type. Dur- 
ing the afternoon a transport landed, bringing several regi- 
ments up from Fortress IVIonroe. These men had been in com-^ 
fortable (luarters, were well fed, and had suffered from no 



142 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

exposure, having had nothing to do but camp duty. They 
were neat and clean, the!:" uniforms bright and new, and they 
presented a marked contra: t to our ragged and tough-looking 
men. We were, without a doubt, as hard a looking set as one 
could meet outside the rag factory. We had drawn no new 
clothing for a long time, and our camping in the swamps and 
morasses had changed our uniforms until it was hard to tell 
what had been their original color ; our hair and beards had 
grown long and straggly, our faces and hands had become so 
grimed with dirt and smoke that it would puzzle one to tell 
if we were whites or Aborigines. Our pantaloons were in 
fringes from the knees to the feet. 

When the new regiments stepped ofif the boat with their 
neatly polished shoes, their clean faces and tasty uniforms, our 
poor ragged devils gazed at them in wonder at first, and then 
got mad. We were amused at some of the boys of Irish 
extraction and the remarks the}^ made as they stood by the 
side of the road, looking at the new comers marching b}" : 

"Look at the Sunday sojers!" 

"Aren't they the purty byes?" 

"Won't the riliils run whin they see the blackened shoes 
comin' at thim ?" 

"Oh, wxll," said another, "Thank hivin it won't be long till 
they git the polish taken oil thim." 

These men had nothing against the new soldiers, but the 
contrast between their appearance and that of themselves, 
caused a jealous pang to take possession of them, and the)'' 
could not refrain from giving vent to their feelings. 

A short distance from the landing stood a large, and at one 
time elegant mansion. The occupants had fled at the approach 
of our army and gone to Richmond, and so great had been 
their haste that they left nearly everything behind. The 
negroes deserted and struck out for themselves. The beautiful 
home had been made a hospital, and the spacious rooms were 
filled with wounded, bleeding and dying men. The costly car- 
pets were covered with mud, and presented a sight that would 
have driven the owners wild. The handsome ornamental trees 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REMIMENT 143 

were cut down, as a signal station had been built on the roof 
and they obstructed the view of the signal men. It was a sad 
sight to see such a valuable property thus destroyed, but it 
was the fate of war. 

About this time the following promotions were announced: 

First Lieutenant William Smitli to be Captain of Company A, to 
date from July 26, 1862, vice Berringer, discharged. 

.Second Sergeant W. P. Hunker, to be First Lieutenant Company A, 
to date from July 26, 1862, vice Smith, promoted. 

Second Sergeant Samuel L. Paden, to be Second Lieutenant of Com- 
pany A, to date from July 2 6, 1862, vice Laufman, discharged. 

First Lieutenant T. L. Maynard, to be Captain of Company B, to 
date from June 19, 1862, vice Kirkwood, promoted. 

Second Lieutenant James S. Powers, to be First Lieutenant Com- 
pany B, to date from June 19, 1862, vice Maynard, promoted. 

First Sergeant Robert A. Nesbit, to be Second Lieutenant Company 
B, to date from June 19, 1862, vice Powers, promoted. 

First Lieutenant G. W. Gray, of Company I, to be Captain of Com- 
pany C, to date from July 26, 1862, vice Taylor, discharged. 

Third Sergeant William J. Thompson, to be Captain of Company D, 
to date from July 26, 1862, vice Dunham, discharged. 

Second Lieutenant G. E. Gross, to be First Lieutenant of Company 

D, to date from 'July 26, 1862, vice Kline, discharged. 

Second Sergeant Samuel P. Gamble, to be Second Lieutenant of 
Company D, to date from July 26, 1862, vice Gross, promoted. 

First Sergeant William J. Marks, to be Second Lieutenant Company 

E, to date from August 15, 1862, vice Anderson, resigned. 

First Lieutenant George W. McCullough, to be Captain of Company 

F, to date from August 4, 1862, vice Reid, resigned. 

Second Lieutenant George W. Fox, to be First Lieutenant Company 
F, to date from August 4, 1862, vice McCullough, promoted. 

First Sergeant Andrew C. Critchlow, to be First Lieutenant of 
Company I, to date from July 26, 1862, vice Gray, promoted. 

Fourth Sergeant David C. Crawford, to be Second Lieutenant Com- 
pany I, to date from July 26, 1862, vice McMullen, resigned. 

Second Sergeant Thomas W. Boggs, to be Second Lieutenant Com- 
pany K, to date from July 26, 1862, vice Mowry, resigned. 

Our regiment was encamped close to the One Hundred and 
Fifth and Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania, and Twentieth Indiana, 



144 UNDER TH3 RED PATCH 

and we settled down to the daily routine of camp life and 
remained in this place until August i8th, drilling, and building 
fortifications. Our life in the present camp soon began to have 
a pleasing aspect for the boys. We lay in a clean, dry place, 
and received wedge tents, wdiich were a great improvement 
over the miserable little dog tents we had been living in. Then 
Captain Kames, our Brigade Commissary, had field ovens 
built, and in place of the mouldy, wormy hard tack, we had 
sweet, fresh bread every day. We also drew new clothing, and 
once more we were "clothed and in our right minds," and 
instead of resembling scarecrows, we blossomed out neat, natty 
and clean soldiers again, and to crown all, the- paymaster came 
and we received four months' pay. The sutlers were plentiful, 
and we had some money to purchase luxuries, such as butter, 
cove oysters, tobacco, and cheese. Then we bought flour and 
tried our hand at what the boys called "flour doings." 

On the other side of the river, nearly opposite the landing, 
stood a large mansion house belonging to a man named Ruffin, 
W'ho took an active part in the rebellion, being a red-hot seces- 
sionist. It is said he fired the first gun at Fort Sumter. His 
house stood a short distance back from the river and was com- 
pletely embowered in trees. The rebels used this place in an 
attempt to work some mischief. On Thursda}' night. July 
31st, while sleeping quietly in our tents, suddenly, about 
midnight, we were startled by the bang, bang, bang of 
some heavy artillery on the other side of the river. The 
enemy had placed a battery at Ruffin's house and were throw- 
ing shells and solid shot into our lines along the shore. Our 
brigade, being some distance from the front, did not sufifer 
as none of the shots reached us, but those troops lying close 
to the shore caught it. The men swarmed out of their tents 
and stood around, wondering what it meant. The rebels kept 
up the firing for some time, when a couple of gunboats, lying 
just below the landing, steamed up and opened on the battery, 
and in a short time silenced the rebel fire. 

The next day the Ninth Pennsylvania Reserve Regiment 
crossSed the river and went to Ruffin's house. They found 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REMIMENT 145 

everything in confusion, the tables had been set for a big 
supper, loaded with provisions; the family had evidently pre- 
pared a good meal for the battery boys when they would finish 
shelling the Yanks, but when the ponderous shells from the 
gunboats began to drop among them, and burst in their midst, 
they got a first-class scare and fled, leaving everything. The 
Ninth boys cleared the tables and carried away everything 
portable and then cut down all the beautiful trees surrounding 
the place, making it impossible to conceal any more rebel bat- 
teries. 

Colonel Hays had a rare sense of humor, and many times 
offenders for small refractions brought before him secured 
their release unpunished, owing to their ready wit. A member 
of Company D, accused of stealing and killing a sheep, the 
property of a farmer upon whose farm the regiment was 
encamped, was brought before the colonel for judgment. When 
asked for an explanation he remarked : "You see, colonel, 
while out chopping fire wood, this lamb, which was in an 
adjoining field, attacked me, and in self-defense I killed it, and 
I would kill this sheep or any other man's sheep that climbed 
over a fence and tried to bite me." With a significant grin 
the colonel dismissed the case, but there was a suspicious smell 
of roast lamb pervading the camp that evening. 

While we lay at this place, we eagerly scanned the news- 
papers to learn how the war was progressing at other places. 
The Philadelphia Inquirer was the soldier's favorite, though 
many read the New York Tribune or the Herald, whilst Frank 
Leslie's and Harper's illustrated weeklies found ready sale 
among the boys when they had money to buy them, and if they 
had not, someone generally managed to steal one, which was 
passed around until all had seen it. These papers, as well as 
other mail matter, came by way of Fortress Monroe and up 
the James to Harrison's Landing. Each regiment had a man 
who was detailed as postmaster, and whose duty it was to go 
once a day and lug a big sack of mail to the regiment and dis- 
tribute it. Unlike the postmasters of the present day, there 
were not eager applicants for the position, and when the 



146 UNDER TFIE RED PATCH 

adjutant d stalled a man for the position, he was compelled to 
serve, and generally did some tall swearing in consequence. 
Of course he was excused from other duties, such as drill, 
guard mount, etc., but that was a small recompense for the 
annoyance he had to endure. People are the same the world 
over, and all deem it a privilege to growl and swear at the 
• postmaster. It mattered not how cold, or w^et, or hot, or dis- 
agreeable it might be, the regimental postmaster must always 
be on time ; if he was late the ofificers would give him a blow- 
ing up and the men would abuse him. When he arrived in 
camp w'ith his mail sack, he was an object of interest to all. 
Those who received letters were satisfied for the time, and 
those w^io did not get any, apparently seemed to think it was 
his fault and expressed their opinion of him in a manner that 
was not at all complimentary. Once our mail carrier fell in a 
creek and lost his sack, and how he was cursed and abused. 
We all felt certain that the lost sack contained letters for each 
one of us, and if the carrier had been drowned and the mail 
matter saved, we would have been much better satisfied. 

It is unnecessary to remark that we eagerly scanned the 
papers for news of the war, and as we read how our armies 
were gaining victories in other places, it made us angry that 
such w^as not our lot. Still we believed that as soon as recup- 
erated, Ave would go on and capture Richmond. We saw by 
the papers that General Pope had been called from the west 
and placed in command of IMcDowell's army. He entered on 
his duties the very day we began the terrible Seven Days' 
Battles. 

Life began to grow monotonous to us at Harrison's Land- 
ing; we were thoroughly rested and were anxious to be on the 
tramp again. It is a curious fact that soldiers desire to be on 
the move, as soon as rested ; they want to go on, and become 
surly and restless, and want a change. 

On Wednesday, August 9th, the President reviewed the 
entire Army of the Potomac. We could trace his progress by 
the firing of salutes, and the cheering, long before he reached 
our division. We were ordered into line about 5 o'clock in the 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REMIMENT 147 

evening. Kearney's whole division was in line. Soon the 
President, accompanied by his body guard and a number of 
generals, came up our line; we had a good view of him as he 
rode by holding his hat in his hand. As he passed us that 
evening, his face lighted up by the setting sun, we were struck 
by the care-worn expression observed on his countenance. The 
men cheered him, but their cheers had not the clear, hearty 
ring they used to have. But when the idol of his men came, 
General Phil Kearney, wdiom the rebels called the "One-armed 
"devil," his entire division let loose with cheers that woke the 
echoes of the dark pine woods. We knew Kearney, and he 
knew us, and each knew they could depend upon the other. 

On the night of the i6th we had a fearful thunderstorm and 
several of the men on guard were killed by lightning. Next 
day orders were passed to pack up and get ready to march. 
The boys lost their listlessness and all was bustle and activity ; 
we all believed that we were going to take up the march 
against Richmond. Had we known that we were about to take 
the back track and retrace the route we had so proudly 
traveled six months before, it would have been a bitter pill to 
swallow. 

When we left Plarrison's Landing, \vq took a route that led 
obliquely to the left. We supposed that we would go to the 
James River, cross on transports, and march up on the other 
side and thus advance on Richmond by that route ; that is, we 
private soldiers thought so, but no doubt most of the officers 
knew where we were going, but after marching several hours, 
still obliquing to the left, it began to dawn on us all that we 
were not going the way we expected to go, and the men could 
be heard saying: "Surely this is not the road to Richmond." 

On we went, and presently we came in sight of the Chicka- 
hominy River, which we crossed on the long bridge, and by 
this time we knew that we were leaving the peninsula and 
heading for Fortress Monroe. Then the boys began to growl. 
"Our whole summer's work gone for nothing," said one. Com- 
l)any A was commanded by Captain Billy Smith, a brave and 
good man, who afterward fell, riddled with bullets, at Chancel- 



14S UNDER THE RED PATCH 

lorsville. Billy was cross, and when asked what he thought 
of the present move he angrily replied : 

"To think that we were actually in sight of Richmond and 
might have taken it had we been supported, and now to turn 
our backs on it and go off, God knows where, is too disgust- 
ing." 

Toward evening we halted and went into camp alongside of 
the road. On either side of us was a dense wood. Soon hun- 
dreds of little camp fires dotted the ground, and at each one, 
two or three soldiers were making coffee in their tin cups and 
quarreling with each other, as usual. We were aroused early 
by the bugle call and snatched a hasty breakfast of hard tack 
and coffee. Just as we fell into line for the march, one of those 
drizzling rains so peculiar to that country, began to fall. All 
day long we marched through the rain and every stitch of 
our clothing was soaked through and through. Late that 
evening we turned into a bleak field, halted, stacked arms, and 
prepared to pass the night as best we could. It was a night 
few will ever forget. Morning came at length, and buckling 
on our accountrements, we splashed on through the deep mud. 

About 4 o'clock in the afternoon we struck the Williamsburg 
Road, and in a short time we went into camp, in sight of the 
town. The sight of the place recalled some bitter memories 
as we thought how triumphantly we had marched through it 
in Afay, driving the rebels before, us, and were on our way back 
to Richmond. Now we were going back, not whipped, but 
discouraged and empty handed. The march down the river 
was not worth recording, as nothing of any note transpired on 
the way. 

We reached Yorktown, got on board of transports and were 
taken to Alexandria, from whence we were hurried out on the 
Orange & Alexandria Railroad to try and save Pope's army, 
which had been defeated down the valle}'. It would be too 
tedious to follow all the moves of the Sixty-third as it 
meandered by Bealton Station, Groveton, and other points. 
On the morning of August 29th we found ourselves at the 
Battlefield of Second Bull Run, or Groveton, ready to take 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REMIMENT 149 

part in that sanguinary struggle. This was one of the blood- 
iest fights that the Sixty-third had yet engaged in. Our regi- 
ment numbered now only three hundred men fit for duty. 

Early in the morning, as soon as we had eaten breakfast, 
we were moved by the left flank to the lower end of a long, 
sloping field covered with low blackberry bushes. We lay here 
for sometime. From here we could see General Hooker riding 
along the top of a ridge and superintending the placing of a 
battery. We knew we would have some hot work before long. 
From beyond the ridge we could hear the roar of battle getting 
louder and louder, and waited anxioush^ for our turn to come 
to join in the melee. 

At last an orderly came galloping down the slope. He gave 
some orders to General John C. Robinson, who commanded 
our brigade, and immediately the bugle called attention, and 
we began to move up the long slope of the field toward the 
crest. As soon as we reached the top we received a heavy 
artillery fire, but laid down and waited for the next command. 
It soon came, and we were moved obliquely toward the woods 
to the left. We passed over the ground where some heavy 
fighting had been done during the forenoon. 

Alongside the road on which we were traveling, lay a rebel 
apparently dead ; he had long, flaxen hair entangled around his 
head and shoulders ; his face was white as ivory, and he was 
very handsome. As we passed him Robert Morton, of Com- 
pany B, remarked : 

"There is a dead rebel." 

The dying man evidently heard the remark and, raising his 
head, replied in a tragic voice : 

"Yes, Fm a dead rebel," and instantly fell back dead. 

We moved on into the woods, left in front and halted. Col- 
onel Hays was sitting on his horse at the left of the line. Just 
then we saw a body of men moving in a direction that would 
bring them across our left, but owing to the thick underbrush 
and trees, we could not see them distinctly. We supposed, from 
their position, they were our own men, and did not pay much 
attention to them. General Kearne}' had ridden up and was 



150 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

conversing with Colonel Hays, when Corporal Strachan, of 
Company B, who had been sent out as a flanker, came running 
up almost breathless, and exclaimed : 

"General ! Get out of this ! They are rebels, and you will 
be shot!" 

Kearney leaned down to his horse's neck and, peering under 
the branches of the trees, exclaimed in his usual jerky style: 

"What! Are those rebels?" 

"Yes," said Strachan, "and there are lots of them." 

Kearney studied a moment and then exclaimed : 

"Colonel Hays, move your regiment until the right rests 
where the left now is, and charge, and the day is ours." 

This was a terrible order, sending three hundred men to 
charge a rebel force of several thousand, with no supports 
available, as the battle was raging in all parts of the field. 
Our true and trusty friends of the One Hundred and Fifth 
Regiment were hotly engaged in another part of the field, so 
we were left to fight it out alone. The charge of the Sixty- 
third against that rebel line was one of the most daring deeds 
of the w^ar. 

Sergeant R. A. Nesbit was directed by Colonel Hays to 
advance to what he considered the length of the regiment, and 
halt, as a marker. He did so, and we moved forward by the 
left flank until we reached where he stood. Halting and front 
facing, we dressed the line, and as the word "Charge" rang 
out from the colonel, w^e dashed forward with gleaming 
bayonets and loud yells on the enemy, led by the gallant Hays. 
It was desperate work. The enemy waited until we got close 
up and then poured such a withering volley into our line that 
it seemed to shrivel up and reeled back. Rapidly rallying, we 
made another eft'ort to face the iron storm, and again 
approached close to the rebel line, but the fire was too murder- 
ous and we were again compelled to fall back, leaving many 
of our dead and wounded. Colonel Ha3's was severely 
wounded, having one leg shattered, and compelled to retire. 
Major Kirkwood assumed command of the regiment, and after 
a short breathing spell we again charged. This time we almost 



STORY OB" THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 151 

reached their line, hut their fire was simply terrible. We broke 
ranks, and every man took to a tree, sheltering himself as well 
as he could, loading and firing as rapidly as possible, and many 
a poor fellow, as he stepped from behind a tree to deliver his 
fire, dropped dead in his tracks. The rebel line began to over- 
lap our flanks and an enfilading fire warned us that wc must 
get out of there quickly, or not one would escape. Major 
Kirkwood was wounded and Captain James F. Ryan assumed 
command. Another charge was made, and Captain R}'an was 
wounded. Flesh and blood could stand such butchery no 
longer, and the cry was made, "Rally on the colors!" which 
was done, and the remnant of the regiment, carrying their 
colors proudly, moved ofif, as twilight was settling down upon 
the field, worn out with desperate fighting, with only seventy- 
five men fit for duty. Soon the din of battle ceased and the 
terrible Second Battle of Bull Run, one of the bloodiest of the 
war, and one no member of the Sixty-third will ever forget, 
was over. 

The charge of the Light Brigade at Balaklava has been 
immortalized in song and story, but looking at it calmly, with- 
out any gildings of romance, the three charges of the three 
hundred men of the Sixty-third Regiment against the 
entrenched line of the enemy, over five thousand strong, at 
Second Bull Run, was every whit as desperate and daring. 
They, as well as Captain Nolan's six hundred, knew it was a 
mistake, but — 

"Their's not to reason why, 
Their's not to make reply, 
Their's but to do and die." 
f 
And nobly they obeyed the orders that hurled them, a mere 

handful with no supports, against an overwhelming force, not 
once, but three times, and they never once faltered. 

Our enemy did not pursue us, and the battle was over; our 
men held the field l)Ut nothing had been gained by this fight, 
save that the shattered Army of the Potomac had saved Pope 
and his army from being hurled back to the Potomac, and had 
prevented Lee's victorious troops from advancing on Wash- 
ington. We lay for a short time in the field, and then moved 



152 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

back, crossing a small stream called Cub Run, and moving a 
short distance on, encamped for the night. Next day we joined 
the remainder of the brigade and at dark were sent out as a 
skirmish line. 

The following is the official report of Second Bull Run, or 
Groveton : 

Groveton, August 30, 1862. 
Bivouac of the Sixty-third Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, near Battlefield, 

General: — I have the honor to submit the follovt^ing report of the 
operations of the Sixty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, on yesterday, 
the 29th instant: 

Early in the morning, moved from Centerville with the balance 
of the brigade (Robinson's First Brigade, Kearney's Division) pro- 
ceeding some five miles the regiment was formed in line of battle, 
and moved forward across open fields and creek to woods, through 
which we deployed. Ordered to the support of brigade commanded 
by Colonel Poe, which occupied a front on the right of that to which 
we advanced. While in this position received a severe shelling from 
a battery of the enemy on the left of Colonel Poe's command. We 
suffered a loss of one man killed, and two wounded. After being 
ordered to a position on the right, still supporting Colonel Poe, the 
regiment was withdrawn, and moved to the left, resting in line of 
battle in edge of woods, looking upon fields. After a lapse of about 
an hour. General Kearney ordered Colonel Hays, with the Sixty-third 
Regiment and One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, to 
cross the fields in front, deploy through woods to left, and intercept 
bodies of the enemy who were annoying General Hooker's right flank. 
This was done and the regiment formed in line of battle at the "rail- 
road cut," and rested. An error in some command on our left, and 
a miscellaneous fire in our front, caused a slight confusion in the 
Sixty-third, and misinterpretation of an order issued just at that 
time by Colonel Hays. This was speedily remedied, and the regiment 
occupied its old position without disorder. Immediately after Gen- 
eral Kearney ordered the Sixty-third, with the Twentieth Indiana, 
and One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania, to proceed up the railroad 
cut, deploy to the left, "give the enemy a fire and charge them," and 
endeavor to drive them from their position on the railroad. In doing 
this we encountered a large force of the enemy coming down the 
railroad. Opening fire and advancing on them, a terrible conflict 
ensued, which lasted over an hour, our loss being very great. As the 
enemy took a position on the opposite side of the railroad, concealed 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 153 

by the ground thrown from the railroad cut, they could not be driven 
from the front, and we were subsequently forced to retire, being 
almost out of ammunition, and our effective force being reduced to 
one-half the number we came upon the field with. 

GEO. P. CORTS, 
Adj't. Sixty-third P. V. 

Enlisted men for duty — Privates, 277;; Sergeants, 23; 

Corporals, 33 333 

Oflicers for duty — Lieutenants 15 

Field and staff 4 

Non-commissioned staff 5 



Total 357 

There had been considerable fighting at a place called 
Chantilly, a mere cluster of three or four houses, that lay- 
between us and Fairfax. As darkness began to settle down, a 
terrible storm came up and raged for sometime, and that even- 
ing General Kearney was killed at Chantilly, while recon- 
noitering. The death of this heroic man was a fearful shock 
to the boys of his division, as we all dearly loved the brave, 
impetuous and fiery Kearney. 

The Union losses at the Second Battle of Bull Run, accord- 
ing to history, were as follows : 

Killed, 1,481; wounded, 7,627; captured, 89; total, 9,197.. 

Kearney, in his official report of the battle, at the close of 
the first day's fight, says : "The Sixty-third Pennsylvania and 
the Fortieth New York suffered the most of any. The gallant 
Hays badly wounded." That was the last report ever made by 
that intrepid officer. 

After the death of Kearney, the entire division was ordered 
to Washington, where we lay at Arlington for thirty days, 
recruiting our decimated ranks and enjoying a season of much-« 
needed rest. 

Previous to severing his connection with the regiment, Col- 
onel Hays had the following statement made up, showing the 
casualties in the Sixty-third, from its organization to Septem- 
ber I, 1862 : 



154 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

ON PICKET DUTY NOVEMBER i, 1861. 

COMPANY G. 

KILLED — Private Jacob Gardner; first man killed in the regiment. 

SKIRMISH NEAR POHICK CHURCH, MARCH 5, 1862. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 
KILLED — Quartermaster James M. Lysle. 

COMPANY G. 
KILLED — Private Cyrus G. Moore. 

COMPANY K. 
KILLED— Captain C. W. Chapman. 
WOUNDED — Private Robert Ferguson. 

IN FRONT OF YORKTOWN, VA., APRIL 9, 1862. 
COMPANY F. 
KILLED- — Sergeant David Irwin. 

IN FRONT OF YORKTOWN, VA., APRIL 11, 1862. 

COMPANY A. 
KILLED — Private Joseph Thompson. 

COMPANY C. 
WOUNDED — Private Thomas Brooks. 

COMPANY K. 
KILLED — Private Eliphalet Crow. 

BATTLE OF FAIR OAKS, MAY 31, 1862. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

WOUNDED — Lieutenant Colonel A. S. M. Morgan; Adjutant George 
P. Corts. 

COMPANY A. 

KILLED — Corporal John McCutcheon; Private John Wilson, Fred- 
erick Shilling, Frederick Sallada, Nathaniel Lowry, Robert 
Linden, James Maxwell and John McC. Taggart. 

WOUNDED — Corporals Jesse Morris and Charles McCosh; Privates 
Peter Hamill, William Bittner, John Boyle, Milton Barnett, 
Francis Dunbar, Jonathan Jamison, James Miles, Henry Moffitt, 
Daniel Oskins, Samuel Stout, James Trout, Henry Tomer, and 
Samuel White. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 155 

MISSING IN ACTION — Privates William Wilson and Mathias Hessey. 

COMPANY B. 

KILLED — Private Thomas McWilliams. 

WOUNDED — Corporals John L. Hays and Andrew Rihn; Privates 
Michael Ferguson, George W. Duncan, William Tepfer, William 
LaFever, John Moyle, Robert McPherson, and Samuel McGill. 

COMPANY C. 

KILLED — First Lieutenant Henry Hurst. 

WOUNDED — Corporal David H. Gibson; Privates Asa B. Ecoff, 
George Gibson, James H. Hays, John Shook, Henry Schiffhoer. 

COMPANY D. 

KILLED — Private James Casey. 

WOUNDED — Sergeants J. H. Miller and Samuel P. Gamble; Cor- 
poral William W. Peters; Privates Arthur, Ballou, J. C. Gray, 
George Hall, William J. Kennedy, James ,A. McCafferty, and 
James McAdams. 

MISSING IN ACTION — Geo. Kirkpatrick. 

COMPANY E. 

KILLED — Sergeant Thomas J. Coates; Privates Robert Aiken, Wil- 
liam D. Frailey, Joseph Bftynon, John Fleming, and John A. 
Emerick. 

WOUNDED — Captain John A. Danks; Corporals John Blair and 
George W. Allison; Privates David D. Mahaffey, Thomas A. 
Miller, John Callahan, J. Milton Boyd, and Peter Young. 

MISSING IN ACTION— Corporal Thomas J. Davis; Privates Robert 
M. Boyd, and William F. Lee. 

COMPAIY F. 

KILLED — Orderly Sergeant Joshua H. Delo; Sergeant Robert S. 
Elgin; Private George W. Rhee^. 

WOUNDED — Privates Francis P. Y^c'^'.oskey, James McCammon, 
Peter Nugent, and Peter O'Neil. 

MISSING IN ACTION — Privates James McDonald, and Andrew Mc- 
Donald. 

COMPANY G. 

KILLED — Corporal George A. Cook; Privates Charles France, Hugh 
McConnell, Henry B. Gross, and A. W. Wilhelm. 

WOUNDED — Sergeant R. M. Brown; Second Lieutenant Isaac Moor- 
head; Corporal William M. Smith; Privates James S. Gates, 
Loben Russell, John M. Thomas, William D. Frailey. 



156 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

COMPANY H. 
KILLED- — Privates Patrick Farrell, Philip McDermott, Nicholas 

Hartie and John Rodge: s. 
WOUNDED — Second Lieutenant William H. Jeffries; Sergeant 

Charles McMahon; Corporal James Jones; Privates Ezekiel 

Crane, Michael Carroll, Patrick Gormley, William Whiteside, 

and Peter Whelan. 

COMPANY I. 
KILLED — Privates William Day, Robert F. Gould, and Patrick 

O'Neil. 
WOUNDED — Captain 'James F. Ryan; Privates Winfield I. Davis, Levi 

B. Scott, and George Soles. 

COMPANY K. 
WOUNDED — First Sergeant George B. Chalmers; Privates Henry 

Harris, and Samuel Shallenberger. 
MISSING IN ACTIO^^ — Privates James Connolly, John Heckman, and 

Morgan Eaton.' 

BATTLE OF THE ORCHARDS, OR SEVEN PINES, 
JUNE 25, 1862. 
COMPANY D. 
WOUNDED — Private John Harvey. 

COMPANY E. 
KILLED — Privates John Ford and John Huggins. 
WOUNDED — Private William J. McClarren. 

COMPANY F. 
KILLED — Private William A. Greenawalt. 

WOUNDED — Privates Anthony Greenawalt, Philip D. Griffin, and 
John Johnston. 

COMPANY G. 

KILLED — First Lieutenant S. Hays Cochran. 

COMPANY H. 
WOUNDED — Corporal Patrick Fisher; Privates Lawrence Lynn, 
'James McGraw, and Jacob Schuler. 

BATTLE OF NELSON'S FARM, OR GLENDALE, 
JUNE 30, 1862. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 
WOUNDED — Quartermaster William N. Haymaker. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 157 

COMPANY A. 
KILLED — David B. Ludwig. 
WOUNDED — Privates Joseph P. Wolfred and John Haymaker. 

COMPANY B. 

WOUNDED — Corporal William McCutcheon; Privates John Baird, 
William C. Clark, Joseph Clowes, and Edv^^ard E. McCorkle. 

COMPANY C. 
WOUNDED — Privates Frank L. Graham, Henry Kettenburg, Henry 

Kelly, and Sandy C. McLaughlin. 
MISSING IN ACTION — Private George Castler. 

COMPANY D. 
KILLED — Privates Robert McPherson, Samuel Gill, William Smith, 

and William McMunn. 
WOUNDED — Corporal Elijah Hall; Privates A. 'J. Clark, John Fagan, 

Edward McCaffrey, John J. Neeper, Aaron Robbins, J. C. Green, 

A. J. Parke. 

COMPANY E. 
KILLED — Corporal C. W. Miller. 

WOUNDED — Corporal Henry Williams; Privates Thomas B. Jones, 
Ralph H. Dawson, Thomas Power, and John G. Robinson. 

COMPANY F. 
WOUNDED — Privates John Thompson, Charles Harbst, and Jacob 
T. Delo. 

COMPANY G. 
KILLED — ^Corporal D. R. George; Private David W. Coursin. 
WOUNDED — Privates Samuel Rhodes, J. A. Sell, and A. H. G. Wil- 
helm. 

COMPANY H. 
KILLED — Privates Chester N. Clark, and Richard Cochran. 
WOUNDED — Corporal John W. F. Johnston; Privates Patrick Lar- 
kins, John McAnulty, James Smith, and Hugh Gibbons. 

COMPANY I. 

KILLED — Second Sergeant George W. Mansfield; Privates James, 
Whitesell, and John Whitesell. 

WOUNDED — Captain James F. Ryan; Second Lieutenant David C. 
Crawford; Second Sergeant George Soles; Privates Bailey Cook, 
Alexander D. Foster, Joel T. Painter, and John Kempff. 



158 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

COMPANY K. 
WOUNDED — Captain Theodore Bagley; Sergeant Robert Stanford; 
Privates John M. Smith, William H. Shaner, Reuben George, 
John Williard, Stewart Hodge, James Carney, William Davis, 
William Drake, and Robert Dunham. 

BATTLE OF MALVERN HILL, VA., JULY i, 1862. 

COMPANY D. 
WOUNDED — Private Francis Toner. 

COMPANY H. 
WOUNDED — Private Joseph 'O'Brien. 

BATTLE OF BRISTOE STATION, VA., AUGUST 27, 1862. 

COMPANY A. 
WOUNDED — Private John Lehmyer. 

COMPANY D. 
WOUNDED — Private James McGeary. 

BATTLE OF SECOND BULL RUN, OR GROVETON, 
AUGUST 29, 1862. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

WOUNDED — Colonel Alexander Hays; Lieutenant Colonel William 

S. Kirkwood. 

COMPANY A. 
WOUNDED — Privates David Free, James Miller, Wilmore Morris, 

James McAtee, William Trout, and John Ward. 

COMPANY B. 

KILLED — Private Cyrus Wills. 

WOUNDED — Sergeant Edward T. Saint; Privates John Gray, John 
Klinefelter, and William Clark. 

COMPANY C. 

KILLED — Privates William Bliss, John A. McWilliams, and John 
Stone. 

WOUNDED — Corporal Daniel Stone; Private John Waterson. 

COMPANY D. 
KILLED^ — Privates James McClain and Michael Purcell. 
WOUNDED — Sergeant W. J. Robinson; Privates Davis Glass, Thomas 

Glass, James McAdams, David McCreary, John Moore, J. C. 

Trimble and John C. Gray. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 159 

COMPANY E. 
KILLED — Second Lieutenant William J. Marks; Privates Thomas A. 
Miller, John CoOper, James W. Gilbraith, Christopher Fisher, 
Samuel Porter, and Benjamin Patton. 
"WOUNDED — Privates James A. Powers, Ralph H. Dawson, Alfred H. 
Jones, Samuel R. Baldwin, James A. Bateman, and Jerome R. 
Lingle. 

COMPANY F. 

KILLED — Sergeant John R. Guthrie; Privates Henry Shoup and 
John Thompson. 

WOUNDED — Corporals 'James Whaley and Thomas H. Martin; Priv- 
ates Joseph S. Elder, A. T. Ronce, Martin Castner, Daniel O'Neil, 
James Sample, John G. Richards, and Eliphas Highberger. 

COMPANY G. 
WOUNDED — Sergeant A. W. Gilmore; Privates William H. Green 
and Asa O. Douglass. 

COMPANY H. 

KILLED — Privates Patrick Gallagher, John McCullough, Samuel R. 
Woods, David Cannon, John Johnston, John Hill, and Edward 
iMcGinness. 

WOUNDED — Sergeant Matthew Kane; Corporal William P. Wamp- 
ler; Privates William H. Marshall, James Redmond. Patrick 
Collins, Thomas Crampton, John Cannon, Simon P. Dellman, 
Patrick Dugarry, James Dowling, James Friel, David Griffiths, 
Hugh Hagan, Michael Kelly, and John Woods. 

COMPANY I. 
KILLED — Third Sergeant William Stacy; Privates Robert F. Gould 

and San-^uel Grubaugh. 
WOUNDED — Captain James F. Ryan; Second Sergeant George Soles; 

Third Sergeant John H. Hoffman; Fifth Sergeant Joseph Evans; 

Corporal William Sample; Privates William Brown, John N. 

Gamble, James Irwin, John Keough, Peter Lafferty, Fauntley 

Muse, John Pritchard, Joel T. Painter, Robert Wiper, John S. 

Wolff, and William Wigham. 

COMPANY K. 

KILLED — Sergeant Thomas W. Boggs; Privates Daniel Young, Rob- 
ert Westermann, John G. Green, and Jacob Keith. 

WOUNDED — Corporals James Menold and Edward Bindley; Privates 
Robert Dunham, Robert Orr, Thomas Scully, Miles McCullough, 
Henry Hensel, Reuben George, and George Hilterbrand. 

MISSING IN ACTION — Privates A. J. Moots and Robert Hodge. 



160 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

During the time the battered up Kearney Division lay at 
Arlington Heights, the rest of the Army of the Potomac was 
busy at other places. The Battles of South Mountain and 
Antietam were fought on September 14th and 17th, and it 
was rather pleasant for us to lie quietly in camp while the rest 
of the boys were doing the fighting. It was so easy, as we 
read the reports of those battles, to discuss the action of our 
troops ; we never knew before how nice it was to criticise. No 
wonder the brave stay-at-home people used to say, as they sat 
at their comfortable fires during the winter of '61 and '62 : 
"Why don't the army move?" We felt the same way as we 
sat under the shade trees around the mansion of General Lee, 
at Arlington, and often asked the question, "Why don't 
McClellan hurry up and lick the Johnnies?" 

Our ranks began to fill up with recruits and men who had 
been discharged from hospitals, until we numbered three hun- 
dred men, and we had a good rest and again were fit for duty. 
On October nth we fell into ranks, and with reluctance left 
our beautiful Arlington camp. Our destination was Pools- 
ville, Md., where we were expected to do scouting service and 
watch the predatory bands of Confederates that were making 
the raids across the Potomac into Maryland, and carrying off 
live stock and provisions. It was a beautiful autumnal day as 
we marched out of camp and descended by the winding road 
toward the long bridge that crosses the Potomac, and con- 
tinued on toward Poolsville. As usual, while w^e were on the 
march, the weather took a sudden change and a cold rain 
began falling. It sounded like old times to hear the boys 
growling and grumbling again. 

Poolsville was an insignificant village of about two hun- 
dred or three hundred people, who were not over friendly with 
the soldiers whom they evidently thought were men who 
needed pretty close watching. Lieutenant Bob Nesbit went 
into the village, and when he returned, his haversack and all 
his pockets were stuffed with eatables, and as none of us had 
a cent of money at the time, it was a mystery how he procured 
them. That recalls an incident that occurred while we lay 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 161 

on the peninsula. Billy Bitner, a jolly Dutchman of Company 
A, came into camp with a huge side of smoked bacon, and 
when asked how he got it, said he had borrowed it, and when 
we laughed at his story, he said : "Honest as I live, boys, I 
borrowed it from an old rebel farmer; only I had to knock the 
old son of a gun down with the butt of my musket before he 
would consent to it." Perhaps the lieutenant had also bor- 
rowed, in the same way, what he had brought in. 

On October 15th we moved to Conrad's Ferry, about six 
miles from Poolsville, and in a short time marched to the 
IMonocacy, a stream that flows into the Potomac from the 
Maryland side. Here we did picket duty and watched the 
rebel cavalry from the Virginia side to prevent them from cut- 
ting the Chesepeake and Ohio Canal and destroying the acque- 
duct which they had several times attempted to do. 

On a rise of land above the mouth of the creek was a log 
building, used as a block house, and here we made our head- 
quarters. Captain ^laynard, of Company B, who had been 
away on recruiting service since June ist. rejoined the regi- 
ment at this place. The captain was a. brave man, but was 
as particular about his appearance as a 3a^ung man on his 
wedding day, and was remarkably fastidious in his habits. 
When he returned he had on a spick and span new uniform, 
and everything about him was clean and bright. He was even 
perfumed, and the old boys looked at him in disgust. Well, 
he slept in the block house that night, and the next day he 
asked Lieutenant Nesbit how to account for an uneasy feeling 
he experienced, having an itching that was intolerable. Bol) 
had no trouble in explaining it, for he had been there as well 
as the rest of us, so he said to Maynard : "Why, captain, you 
have the gray-backs; the building is polluted with them." 
Had he told the captain he had the cholera or smallpox he 
would not have been so badly horrified. 

On October 28tli we left here and again took up the line of 
march. We forded the Potomac at a place called White's 
Ford. The weather was very cold, and thin ice had formed 
along the edge of the stream, making it a very disagreeable 



162 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

task to wade through the ic}- water; and then might have been 
heard some tall growling and swearing by the boys. Some 
took off their clothing, while others waded across with their 
clothing on. Those who undressed were all right after cross- 
ing, while those wdio did not, suft'ered severely with their wet 
clothing. 

A most lattghable incident occurred here. In Company C 
there was a big, strapping Dutchman, who went by the name 
of Dutch Honnis. He must have been born cross, for a more 
ill-natured fellow never lived ; always ready to quarrel ; noth- 
ing ever pleased him, and in swearing he could beat the old- 
time stage driver. When we approached the river shore and 
found that we would have to w^ade through the icy water, 
Honnis indulged in one of his usual soliloquies, and after 
relieving his feelings, undressed. Tying his clothes on the top 
of his knapsack, he waded into the stream. He kept up a 
monotonous swearing as he went along, and when he reached 
the middle of the fording, where the w'ater was about four feet 
deep, he stepped on a round stone and fell headlong, being 
entirely submerged in the chilly water. When he scrambled 
to his feet he w^as drenched from the head to feet, and the 
water poured out of the muzzle of his gun like out of the 
spout of a teakettle. The water had entered his haversack and 
all his provisions were soaked. After catching his breath he 
opened up the magazine of his profanity until the water 
around use seemed to grow warmer. To help it all, Polk 
AlcCullough asked him if he had been diving after minnows. 
This increased his rage, and he made a dash for Polk and got 
another tumble. This second ducking had the effect of render- 
ing him silent, as he evidently concluded he could not do the 
subject justice, and waded through the remainder of the 
stream without a word. Though we were all suft'ering from 
cold, w^e indulged in roars of heart}^ laughter at poor Honnis. 

After crossing the river we moved on to the historic place 
known as Ball's Bluff where, on October 20, 1861, a dis- 
astrous fight occurred in which the gallant Colonel Baker was 
killed. We remained here two days and then marched to 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 163 

Leesbnrg', in a cold rain and sleet storm. Our next stop was 
at IMillville, a small hamlet of half a dozen homes. Here was 
a large grist mill, owned by an old rebel named Stanley. This 
mill happened to contain at the time a quantity of fine wheat, 
and as there were several millers in the ranks, they soon had 
it in operation and were grinding Hour for the bo3-s, and we 
had the pleasure of eating some flap-jacks made from the old 
rebel's flour. After living on hard tack and salt pork for so 
long, those flap-jacks were delicious. From this place we 
moved to Mount Gilead, and then to A\'hite Plain, passing 
through the village of Middleburg, a red-hot nest of secession- 
ism, the citizens gazing on us with looks of deepest hatred 
as we marched through. 

On November 5th we crossed Carter's Mountain, an ele- 
vated plateau, and rather a pleasant looking place. ^^'e 
crossed the mountain in one day and encamped at the foot. 

On September 29, 1862, Colonel Alexander Hays was pro- 
moted to Brigadier General, and Lieutenant Colonel A\"illiam 
S. Kirkwood to Colonel. 

On November 5th, the Army of the Potomac received a 
great shock that for awhile almost paralyzed it. It was the 
news that our general, G. B. McClellan, had been removed, 
and General lUirnside was now our commander. This 
announcement fell like a thunder-clap on the army, and it was 
at first feared there would be a mutiny. The boys loved 
"Little Mack," and his removal caused a deep feeling of dis- 
appointment with many. 

On November i6th we marched to W'arrenton, where we 
remained one day, then proceeded to Bealton, a most forsaken 
looking place, and again moved and encamped eight or nine 
miles from h'redericksburg. Llere rumors began to reach us 
that preparations were going on for a fight at that place, and 
that the rebels were preparing to give us a warm reception. 
We knew that we were expected to attack the town, and 
would have to take it if we were to move on to Richmond. 
Winter was now upon us, and we also knew that if we were 
checked at Fredericksburg, we would be al)le to do but little 



164 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

until spring opened. We, however, felt very sanguine of 
defeating the enemy and capturing the city where we would 
probably go into winter quarters and have a comfortable time. 
On November 22nd we again moved and marched to Fal- 
mouth, an insignificant village on the opposite side of the 
river from Fredericksburg. Falmouth lay on a high plateau, 
and from this place w^e could see how the rebels were strength- 
ening every point and preparing to resist our advance. We 
knew that it would be no holiday afifair for the troops that 
W'ould have to cross the river in the face of those defenses. 

The Sixty-third lay at Falmouth until December 12th, while 
the attempt was made to lay the pontoon bridge, which 
resulted in great loss to our men from the sharpshooters con- 
cealed in the houses along the river on the rebel side. About 
noon, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Danks, we broke 
camp and marched to the banks of the Rappahannock, opposite 
Fredericksburg, where we bivouacked in a small grove and 
lay during the night. 

The site selected for the crossing was in full sight of the 
enemy's line, and his sharpshooters, from the cover of the 
houses on the Fredericksburg side of the Rappahannock, 
picked off the engineers engaged in placing the pontoons in 
position. A call for volunteers to assist the engineers was 
made, and hundreds of brave men from the ranks, who realized 
the danger of the undertaking, gallantly came forward under a 
most disastrous and destructive fire, both from the artillery 
and musketry of the foe, 

"They leaped in the rocking shallops, 
Ten offered where one could go; 
And the breeze was alive with laughter 
Till the boatmen began to row. 

Then the shore, where the rebels harbored 

Was fringed with a gush of flame, 
And buzzing like bees o'er the water 

The swarms of their bullets came. 

In silence, how dread and solemn! 

With courage, how grand and true! 
Steadily, steadily onward, 

Tha line of the shallops drew. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 1G5 

Not a whisper! Each man was conscious 

He stood in the sight of death, 
So he bowed to the living presence, 

And treasured his living breath. 

'Twixt death in the air above them, 

And death in the waves below, 
Through ball and grape and shrapnel 

They moved — My God! how slow! 

And many a brave stout fellow. 

Who sprang in the boats with mirth. 
Ere they made that fatal crossing. 
Was a load of lifeless earth. 

And many a brave, stout fellow 

Whose limbs with strength were rife. 

Was torn and crushed and shattered, — 
A helpless wreck for life. 

But yet the boats moved onward: 

Through Are and lead they drove. 
With the dark, still mass within them. 

And the floating stars above. 

They formed in line of battle; 

Not a man was out of place. 
Then, with leveled steel they hurled them. 

Straight in the rebels' face." 

On the morning of December 13th, before day, our division 
moved a short distance down the river and halted where we 
were concealed by a strip of woods. Here we remained tmtil 
about II o'clock when we received orders to move, and crossed 
the river under artillery fire and formed a line of battle on the 
other side. There were open fields from the river to the rail- 
road, the distance being about half a mile. 

On the other side of the railroad the ground rose in a pretty 
steep slope, covered with woods, in which the enemy was in 
considerable force. About midway between the river and the 
railroad was a ditch for draining the fields, running parallel 
with the river. On this ground, previous to our arrival, the 
Pennsylvania Reserves had a savage fight with the rebels 
and had driven them into the woods on the other side of the 
railr'oad. Our men had planted a battery on the rebel side 
f)f the ditch and the rebels were making furious efforts to cap- 
ture it. The battery stood its ground bra\'ely, hurling grape 



166 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

and canister into their ranks, but still they pressed on. Our 
regiment, with the One Hundred and Forty-first Pennsylvania 
on our right, and a Michigan Regiment on our left, were 
ordered to the front. There was a long line of worm-fence 
running at right angles with the railroad, and up along this 
we went at double quick. At a gap opposite the battery we 
passed through, and deploying in the rear of the artillery, we 
opened fire on the advancing enemy with such vigor that they 
wavered and began to fall back into cover of the woods. The 
fire on both sides Avas rapid and hot for a time, and it was a 
fair stand-up-fight. 

The rest of our division had formed a line of battle in our 
rear and were sending volley after volley into the ranks of the 
enemy who, after awhile, slackened their fire and drew ofif, 
leaving us, for the time, masters of that part of the field. 
During the fighting, a number of the enemy and some of our 
own men had taken refuge in the ditch. Major Ryan, who had 
been captain of Company I, and was as brave an officer as 
ever wore the blue, performed a gallant deed here. Riding 
up to the ditch amid the firing of the rebels, he gathered up 
about twenty Johnnies and brought them prisoners into our 
line, without receiving a scratch, although it was a most peril- 
ous undertaking and showed his grit. 

We lay on this part of the field without taking any further 
active part in the fight which was raging on our right, as the 
enemy did not assail this point again, though every now and 
then they would send a volley of shells to let us know they 
were still on hand. In the meantime, our poor boys on the 
right were being mercilessl}- slaughtered while tr3nng to storm 
Marye's Heights in the face of an overpowering foe concealed 
behind stone walls and earthworks. 

After dark, two companies of the Sixty-third were sent to 
the ditch, where they gathered up the remainder of the enemy 
and some of our own men who had taken refuge there to 
escape the terrible storm of grape shot, canister and musket 
balls. While possibly it was not cowardice that caused the 
men to hide there, it was a much safer place than the open 



STORY OP THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 167 

field, and no one knows but those who have been there, what 
an inviting look a ditch presents to a person in a battle. 

There used to be a story told of a soldier who, when the 
bullets were flying thick and the air seemed laden with death, 
saw a drummer boy ensconced in a big hollow stump. The sol- 
dier seized him by the collair and, dragging him out, said : 

"You little rascal, get out of this and give me a chance," and 
then crawled into the place from which he had ejected the 
boy. This, no doubt, was a camp yarn. 

Another story told on a member of the Eighty-seventh New 
York was that a badly scared soldier at the Battle of Bull Run 
had taken refuge under the bank of the brook, where he was 
safe from the bullets, and a general officer riding by and seeing 
him, ordered him, with an oath, to come out at once. The fel- 
low, with a grin, replied: 

"Like the I will, you want to get in here yourself; go 

and hunt a place, as I did." 

On the next day, under a flag of truce, the dead between 
the lines were buried by details from both armies, and the 
wounded carried to the rear. On the morning of the 15th the 
Sixty-third was relieved and with the division, recrossed the 
river, with sad hearts, for we knew we had been defeated and 
the great Battle of Fredericksburg had been fought and lost to 
our army, and that thousands of lives had been lost and we 
had nothing to show for it. The rebels rejoiced greatly over 
this defeat of the Army of the Potomac, and the rebel sympa- 
thizers in the North were jubilant; but notwithstanding all 
this we did not despair, but believed our time would come 
when we would pay the enemy back with interest. 

The Union losses at Fredericksburg, as given by history, 
were as follows: Killed, 1,152; wounded, 9,101 ; prisoners, and 
missing, 3,234; total, 13,487. The rebel losses, as represented 
in Pollard's "Lost Cause," a reliable work, were: Killed, 
wounded and missing, 3,455. This disparity in loss shows the 
terrible ordeal our men had to pass and how strongly they 
were entrenched when our loss was four times greater than 
that of the encmv. No wonder Fredericksburg battlefield 



168 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

is remembered and spoken of by the old soldiers as the 
"Slaughter pen.'' 

After recrossing the river, we returned to our old camps, 
expecting to go into winter quarters, as the season for active 
service in the field had passed and we were all in need of rest to 
recuperate, after the hard work we had been performing. We 
built temporary quarters and remained in comparative quiet- 
ness for some time, doing nothing but camp and picket duty, 
and made up our minds that we would rest quietly until spring 
had opened another campaign against the rebel capitol. 

The boys, having an easy time, began to gain strength, 
many of our sick, away in hospitals, returned and the old 
routine of camp life went on as usual. We had now been in 
active service for seventeen months, and the end of the war 
seemed to us as far remote as ever. 

On Thursday morning, January 20th, 1863, orders were 
issued to pack up at once and get ready to march, where to, 
we did not know. 

The morning was fine, crisp and cool, the roads in good con- 
dition, and the boys hastened to pack up and leave the camp 
we had believed would be our home during the rest of the 
winter. Our brigade (Robinson's) was placed in the extreme 
right of the line, and we knew that if there was going to be any 
fighting, we would be the first to catch it. 

Our way led to what is known as Banks' Ford, on the 
Rappahannock, and we saw by the pontoons that were hurry- 
ing toward the front, that we were again to cross the river and 
have another scrap with the Johnnies. We marched along 
lively during the day in the direction of Warrenton until even- 
ing, when we turned obliquely to the left and marched more 
slowly. Orders were passed along the line to march in pro- 
found silence. We did not understand this, as we knew there 
w^as no enemy in force on our side of the river, but when we 
halted for the night, strict orders were given to kindle no fires. 
Then we knew our movement was designed to be a surprise 
to the enemy. The day Avas rather a pleasant one for January, 
and wc prepared to endure the cold as well as possible without 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 169 

fire. About lo o'clock that night a change came, and one of 
the worst storms we ever saw struck us. Snow, sleet and 
rain in torrents fell incessantly. We had no tents or shelter of 
any kind and in a few moments were soaked to the skin and 
chilled through and through. We never before so well realized 
the expression, "The flood gates of Heaven were opened." All 
night long the storm pelted us unmercifully. Disregarding 
orders, the men attempted to kindle fires, but everything was 
so drenched and wet that it was an impossible task. Here and 
there a slight blaze would start up, but after nearly blinding 
and suffocating us with smoke, the rain drowned it out and we 
were left to endure the pelting of the pitiless storm in utter 
darkness. That night's exposure sent hundreds of men to the 
hospitals and many to their graves. 

Morning broke at last, but what a 'sight the dawn revealed, 
the whole country was an ocean of mud, the roads were rivers 
of deep mire and the heavy rain had made the ground a vast 
mortar bed. After a miserable breakfast, we were again 
formed into line and an attempt was made to march. It was 
simply horrible ; at every step we sank in almost to the knees, 
the pontoons and artillery were floundering in the mud, the 
teams pulling and hauling, but unable to move them. It was 
soon evident that other measures must be taken, so long ropes 
were attached to the gun carriages. The men were strung 
along these ropes to help pull the cannon, and even with this 
help it was almost impossible to move them. Every now and 
then some poor fellow, while pulling on a rope, would slip and 
fall, and when he regained his feet he was a comical looking 
object, covered with a thick coating of mud from head to foot. 
Sometimes a mule would fall, and true to his stubborn nature, 
would make no effort to get up until the men would pry him 
out of his miry bed. That march will never be forgotten by 
any of the old boys who participated in it. 

Thus we tugged and pulled and floundered, gaining very 
little headway, wet, muddy, hungry and cross, until near the 
middle of the afternoon when all eft'orts ceased and the Army 



170 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

of the Potomac was literally "stuck in the mud." To this day 
the old boys refer to it as the "Mud march." 

To add to the discomfiture and humiliation of the Union 
Army, the enemy displayed a large sign near their works on 
which was painted in large letters the taunting inscription, 
"Stuck in the Mud." 

On the 23rd of January, after wading through Virginia's 
mud in an almost incessant rain storm, when and where it was 
impossible to pitch a tent or construct a shelter from the ele- 
ments, tired out and almost disheartened, the division returned 
to its old camps, where the men commenced in earnest the 
construction of "winter quarters." 

Letter of General Birney to Governor Curtin : 

Headquarters First Division, Third Corps, 

Camp Pitcher, Va., December 19, 1862. 

Your Excellency: — It gives me pleasure to say to you that among 
the distinguished regiments of this old division, in the Battle of 
Fredericksburg, were seven from Pennsylvania, our patriotic old 
State. 

The Fifty-seventh, Colonel Campbell; Sixty-third, Major Danks; 
One Hundred and Fifth, Colonel McKnight; Ninety-ninth, Colonel 
Leidy, were identified with the glory of the command. But the 
Sixty-eighth, Colonel Tippin; the One Hundred and Fourteenth, 
Colonel Collis; One Hundred and Forty-first, Colonel Medill — new 
accessions — did much service, and withstood the enemy's charge with 
enthusiasm, driving him to his breastworks and cover. 

It was a peculiar delight, as a Pennsylvanian, that I led so many 
Pennsylvania regiments, to the support of the veteran "Reserves," 
as that division was slowly and sullenly retiring before the over- 
powering foe, that we relieved it from pursuit, and repulsed the 
enemy with terrible slaughter. 

All of these regiments are fully entitled to have officially awarded 
to them, from the executive power, the right to add "Fredericksburg" 
to the names already crowding their banners. May I ask you, amid 
your many duties, to have this compliment promptly paid them? 

I regret to say that Colonel Campbell, Colonel Leidy, and Major 
Hawksworth fell severely wounded while leading their commands. 
Many a brave Pennsylvanian gave his life for the glory of the old 
flag, and the honor of our good State and country. 

I am your obedient servant, 

D. B. BIRNEY, 
Brig. -Gen. Com. Div. 



CHAPTER VII. 

(From January 23. 1863, to May 7, 1863.) 



In Winter Quarters— Origin of Corps Badges— Holidays in Camp- 
An April Fool Joke— Grand Review by President Lincoln- 
Battles of The Cedars and Chancellorsville. 



'Many and many a weary day 
Our lion-hearted legions lay, 
Waiting and hoping for the strife. 
Weary of an inglorious life. 
At last the onward order's given. 
With cheer on cheer the air is riven! 
And 'mong themselves the soldiers say, 
'Hurrah! Hurrah! boys, this's the day 
We cross the Rappahannock.' 

Now the encampment's all alive,' 
And seems like some vast human hive, — 
Now rattle and roll the noisy drums, 
The long roll beats, and calls to arms! 
Then 'Forward' the commander saith, 
The soldiers almost hold their breath 
And in the very face of death 

They cross the Rappahannock. 

'Ah! bloody work there was,' they say 
Close where the Rappahannock lay; 
Yet firm our valiant columns stood 
Upon the slippery field of blood! 
And fast the murderous missiles fell, — 
A very storm of shot and shell, — 
But, bravely fighting, there they fell 
Beside the Rappahannock. 

The sad-eyed stars looked down that night 
On many a face all ghastly white; 
For thick as autumn leaves, that day 
They fell, — the gallant, young and gay; 
They would not yield, they would not fly,- 
For Freedom it was sweet to die; 
So, scattered here and there they lie 
Beside the Rappahannock. 



172 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

Peace! to the loyal and the brave 
Who fought our glorious land to save! 
Who fought and fell and found a grave 
^ Beside the Rappahannock wave. 

Garlands of cypress and laurel twine 
For those who died for yours and mine; 
Poured out their blood like red, red wine 
Beside the Rappahannock." 

A FTER the return of the Army of the Potomac to its former 
camps near Falmouth, the troops commenced to stockade 
their tents and erect log huts as a protection against the 
inclemency of a Southern winter. Tools of any description 
were difficult to procure, yet the building of winter quarters 
progressed quite rapidly, every soldier working with a will. 
The quarters constructed at this camp were quite comfortable 
and though scarcely equal, from an architectural standpoint, 
to some erected subsequently, they were very creditable to the 
soldiers and proved to be not only habitable, but in most 
instances, decidedly cozy, comfortable and convenient. 

One of the newspaper correspondents, writing of the various 
st3des adopted, said: "Some model after a heathen temple, 
some after a Yankee woodshed, others after an Indian wig- 
wam, and some after a wood-chuck's hole, but the Hottentot 
style of architecture on the whole, it must be confessed, pre- 
vailed over every other; and for every kind of structure that 
can rise out of mother earth, — that can be created out of Vir- 
ginia mud — with some ribs and frame work of logs, let me 
commend you to the whole region round about." 

To many, even among the veterans of the war, who so 
proudly wore them on their "soldier caps" in the department 
where bullets whistled, and now attach them to their breasts 
and badges with proud and fond memories of the days "when 
comrades touched the elbow" in the red front of battle, the 
origin of the designating corps badges is not generally known, 
and it is not to be wondered at that civilians are puzzled to 
know why it is that these grizzled veterans who toda}^ drag 

"Their shattered limbs around 

And envy the deep, long, blessed sleep 
Of the battlefield's holy ground," 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 173 

regard with such love and veneration these simple cloth or 
metallic emblems in the form of diamonds, Greek or Maltese 
crosses, circles, crescents, stars, etc. 

During the memorable Battle of Fair Oaks, on the second 
day (June ist) in front of Richmond, in the summer of 1862, 
General Phil Kearney, the fearless commander of the First 
Division of the old Third Corps, severely censured some 
officers of the Irish Brigade, Second Corps, for cowardice, 
which action got him into trouble ; therefore, to avoid this 
mistake in the future, and for the purpose of distinguishing 
them upon the march and battlefield, he directed the officers 
of his command to wear upon their hats or caps a patch of 
red. These were obtained from the linings of their overcoats, 
flannel shirts, or any possible source, and there was at first 
no stipulated regulation as to size, shape or material. This 
proved of great advantage and benefit to general and staff 
officers during the campaign, enabling them to recognize strag- 
glers, skedadlers, and shirks, and to identify those distinguish- 
ing themselves in action by personal bravery. 

After the death of Kearney at the Battle of Chantilly, the 
soldiers of his division voluntarily adopted the "red patch" in 
honor of his memory, and long before the system of corps 
badges was instituted by General Hooker, a soldier of this 
old fighting division could be readily recognized wherever 
seen, by his simple badge or patch of red. 

After the Battle of Fredericksburg, in which this division 
again distinguished itself, a general order dated December 16, 
1862, was promulgated by Brigadier General D. B. Birney, 
then commanding the division, in which the following para- 
graphs occurred : 

"The old regiments that have lost so many gallant men, will still 
maintain by renewed energy their old reputation, and although small 
bands are so united and gallant as to be equal to all that the 
bravest can achieve. 

"The old standards are safe in their keeping. The new regiments 
have shown themselves fully worthy of the 'Red Patch' and I, in 
the name of the division, acknowledge them as members in full stand- 
ing." 



174 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

During the month of April. 1863, General Joseph Hooker, 
who had succeeded General Ambrose E. Burnside as Com- 
mander of the Army of the Potomac, directed in general orders 
from army headquarters, that the various corps of the army 
should hereafter be designated by the devices named by him, 
as follows : 

First Corps, a circle ; Second Corps, a trefoil ; Third Corps, 
a lozenge or diamond ; Fifth Corps, a Maltese cross ; Sixth 
Corps, a Greek cross ; Eleventh Corps, a crescent ; and Twelfth 
Corps, a star. The divisions of each corps were designated by 
the color of the badge, the First being red, the Second white, 
and the Third blue. Division headquarters were distinguished 
by square flags with the designating emblem appropriate 
thereto. The First Division flag was white with red badge, the 
Second Division blue with white badge, the Third Division 
white with blue badge. Brigade headquarters were distin- 
guished by triangular flags, or pennants; the number of the 
brigade by color borders. All officers and enlisted men were 
required to wear the badge of their division upon the center 
of the top of their caps. This system of designation proved of 
inestimable benefit to both officers and men of all the armies 
in the different sections of the Union. 

Although after the reorganization of the Army of the 
Potomac by General Grant, March 25, 1864. the grand old 
Third Corps, the first regularly organized corps to take the 
field, the corps which furnished to the country and developed 
the genius of such illustrious commanders as Heintzelman, 
Stoneman, Kearney, Hays, Howard, Berry, Birney, Sickles, 
Whipple, Hooker, Richardson, Jameson, Ward, Egan, Pierce, 
Pulford, de Trobriand, West, Mattocks, Berdan, and hosts of 
other distinguished generals, was merged in the Second Corps 
under General Hancock, the entire corps consolidated into one 
division, known as the Third Division of the Second Corps, 
they were permitted to retain the old and honored "Kearney 
patch." 

Christmas, 1862, and New Year's Day, 1863, were spent at 
this place, which was designated in orders from division head- 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 175 

quarters dated December i6, 1862, as "Camp Pitcher, in 
honor of a gallant soldier, ( ■\Iajor Pitcher, of the Fourth Maine 
Regiment), who died as one of our division dies, with his 
breast to the foe, doing his whole duty." 

Christmas was observed as a holiday, no military duty being 
exacted, yet it was a dull day in camp. Thoughts of the merry, 
festive season at home, in "God's country," ere yet war with 
its desolating hand had swept over our once happy and pros- 
perous land, came unbidden on this day to every soldier's heart 
beneath that Southern sky. 

On New Year's morning, the officers of the division, field 
and line, received the congratulations of General Berry in a 
polite note, and an invitation from General Ward to attend an 
entertainment at his headquarters in the afternoon. A ring 
had been made in an open field, around which seats were con- 
structed for the accommodation of the invited guests, while the 
sports were conducted under the supervision of officers of 
General Ward's stafif. Prizes to the amount of several hun- 
dred dollars were awarded to the successful contestants. The 
wheel of fortune was a cylinder of wood .three feet in diameter, 
ten or twelve feet in length, revolving freely upon its axis at a 
height of twelve feet from the ground. Steps at one end of 
the wheel furnished access to the contestants, and a twenty 
dollar greenback on a pole at the other extremity awaited the 
man who succeeded in walking the entire length of the revolv- 
ing cylinder. Another diversion was a greased pole, with a 
ten dollar greenback as a prize for the successful climber ; 
there were hurdle races and foot races, "open to all l)ul Penn- 
sylvania Reserves ;" a mule race, where the last mule in instead 
of the first, took the prize ; horse races ; sack races ; burlesque 
"cock fights" between soldiers; several original eccentricities 
of the colored contrabands, "native here and to the manner 
born," feats of strength and agility, athletic sports and bur- 
lesque divertisements constituting one of the most amusing 
and pleasing entertainments imaginable. A fine band dis- 
coursed patriotic, operatic and po])ular airs. Nearly all the 
soldiers of the division were present, as were also the general, 



176 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

field, staff and line officers of this division, as well as numbers 
of officers and soldiers of other commands encamped in this 
vicinity. 

It was on January 25th that General A. E. Burnsidc was 
relieved and General Joseph Hooker placed in command. The 
boys w^ere well pleased with the change, as we had great faith 
in the ability of "Fighting Joe Hooker," and fully believed 
that the war would now be pushed to a successful termination. 
Polk McCullough said, "Why in don't they give the com- 
mand to Colonel Hays? I believe he is the only fit man to 
command this army ; if he was at the head of it he would soon 

knock out of the rebel army and take us into Richmond." 

Polk's faith in Colonel Hays was unlimited. 

Our division, which in addition to the Sixty-third, contained 
several Pennsylvania Regiments, was reviewed on the morn- 
ing of March 26th, by Governor Curtin who, in an eloquent 
and patriotic address, tendered his thanks personally and in 
behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to the soldiers 
of the grand old Kearney division. 

On the following day, a horse race and steeple chase was 
held on a fine plateau adjacent to the camp, which was 
attended by a large number of army officers from the the dif- 
ferent corps, and many distinguished statesmen, civilians and 
lady visitors from the North. 

At I o'clock on the morning of April ist, orders from corps 
headquarters were received to hold the command in readiness 
to move at a moment's notice, as "the enemy was reported to 
be across the river in strong force." The men were accord- 
ingly aroused from sweet dreams of peace, formed in line, and 
remained under arms "till daylight did appear." The order 
was faithfully observed and indeed, though subsequently found 
to be a practical April fool joke of some waggish staff officer 
at corps headquarters, it was based upon a literally correct 
statement of the situation at the time, as the enemy was 
actually "across" the river, but fortunately for us, not upon 
our side of the now historic Rappahannock River. 

President Lincoln, with a number of distinguished states- 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 177 

men, visited the army while at this point, and on April 8, 1863, 
a grand review of the Third and other corps, with more than 
seventy thousand men, was held for his benefit. The vast field 
in which the troops were paraded for inspection and review, 
was in plain sight of the church spires and signal stations of 
the Confederates in the city of Fredericksburg, from which the 
enemy could easily number the battalions and almost count 
the men in the ranks. 

In addition to the President and visiting statesmen, the 
occasion was graced by the presence of ]\Irs. Lincoln and a 
large number of other ladies. On the 10th the Eleventh and 
Twelfth Corps w^ere reviewed by the President and General 
Hooker, who were enthusiastically cheered as they rode 
through our lines en route to the camps of the commands. 

Our camp at this place was first designated in orders as 
Camp Curtin, but the name was subsequently changed to 
Camp Sickles in honor of our gallant Corps commander. 

On the morning of April 14th orders w'ere received from 
army headquarters to turn over immediately all superfluous 
baggage, tents and clothing; enlisted men to send their 
blankets to the rear for storage during the summer months, 
to provide themselves with eight days' rations, five to be car- 
ried in knapsacks and three in haversacks, and to be in. readi- 
ness to move at a moment's notice. 

We lay in our winter quarters at Falmouth until April 28, 
1863. Our principal duty was guard mounting and drill. 
This place was not as interesting as our former winter quar- 
ters at Camp Johnston, as we had no Alexandria to go to and 
have what the boys called fun. Our greatest trouble was in 
procuring wood for our fires ; all the trees w-ere cut down and 
soon chopped up into fire wood, and when this was done the 
stumps were attacked and dug out by root. 

The regiment was now assigned to the First Brigade, Gen- 
eral D. B. Birney's division, of General Daniel E. Sickles' 
Corps, consisting of six regiments, all Pennsylvanians, as fol- 
lows : Fifty-seventh, Sixty-third. Sixty-eighth, One Hundred 
and Fifth, One Hundred and Fourteenth, and One Flundred 



178 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

and Forty-first, the last two and the Sixt3^-eighth being new 
regiments, but composed of good men who could be depended 
upon in any emergency. 

From orders received and indications of activity at the var- 
ious headquarters on the morning of April 28th, it was plainly 
evident that a forward movement was anticipated. At noon 
the regiments were formed in line and remained under arms 
until 5 o'clock p. m., when the division moved to the left and 
bivouacked in the woods, about six miles from our former 
camp. It had been misty and cloudy during the day, and a 
heavy fog served to obscure our movements from the enemy. 
As no 4ires were permitted, we were all soon sound asleep in 
the open air, and on the following morning we moved a short 
distance to a picturesque valley where we remained during the 
day, the officers and first sergeants devoting their time to 
making out the muster and payrolls. 

On the 30th an order was promulgated to the troops from 
General Hooker announcing that he had established his head- 
quarters at Chancellorsville, and that "the operations of the 
last three days has determined that our enemy must inglori- 
ously fly or come out from behind his defenses and give us 
battle on our own ground, where certain destruction awaits 
him." llie movement of our corps to the left had been a feint, 
and at 4 o'clock p. m. we were again en route marching back 
via our old camps, Stoneman's Switch and Berea Church, to 
near United States Ford, vvhere we bivouacked at i o'clock 
a. m. The weather during the day had been extremely warm, 
and the march very fatiguing as the troops were burdened 
with heavy knapsacks, sixty rounds of ammunition, and eight 
days' rations, in addition to their muskets and accoutrements 
which made a burden of not less than forty or fifty jiounds 
per man. 

Reveille was sounded at 4 o'clock on the following morning 
and after a^ hasty breakfast, we were soon again on the move. 
At 10 o'clock we reached United States Ford and crossed the 
Rappahannock on pontoon bridges. On the southern bank 
we encountered a long line of breastworks, rifle pits and 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 179 

redoubts which had been hastily abandoned by the rebels to 
reinforce other points, not anticipating an attack at this place. 
The works were ver}^ formidable and if properly manned, 
would have rendered it jiracticall}' impossible for us to effect 
a crossing. After a half hour halt for rest and coffee, we con- 
tinued our march, passing through several deserted Confeder- 
ate camps, in which the camp fires of the soldiers were still 
burning. 

At high noon the division halted in a grove, but was soon 
ordered forward and formed in line of battle near the Chancel- 
lor House. A portion of the line was busily engaged and suc- 
ceeded in driving the enemy a short distance, and at night the 
division bivouacked in two lines on the plank road, about a 
half mile to the right of Chancellorsville. 

As we moved along the plank road in the afternoon, the 
infantry marched in the fields by its side which Avere higher 
than the road itself, in order to give free use of the main 
thoroughfare to the ambulances. General Sickles, surrounded 
by his staff, sat smoking his accustomed cigar, coolly survey- 
ing the passing of the troops and the situation in our front. 
The enemy, who had discovered the movement, opened upon 
us from numerous batteries and their shot ploughed the ground 
around us and shrieked over our heads and through our ranks. 
Observing this, the general, without changing his own posi- 
tion, remarked in that peculiar deliberate tone of voice, "Boys, 
I think the enemy see you, — you had better take to the road." 

On the morning of Saturday, May 2nd, the division com- 
manded by General Birney, preceded by Berdan's sharpshoot- 
ers on the skirmish line, other regiments marching through the 
forests "by the right of companies to the front," drove the 
enemy for more than half a mile and captured "Catharpin 
I'^irnaces," distant about one mile from the scene of our 
iMvouac on the previous night. Here we lost the gallant Cap- 
tain William Smith, of Company A, as brave a man as ever 
wore the blue, who fell riddled with bullets. I'p to this time 
the fighting had been done entirely by the infantry Init when 
the enemy commenced to shell the woods, Randolph's Piattery 



180 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

took position near the furnaces and soon succeeded in silencing 
the guns of the Confederates. During the operations of the 
day, this division captured the Twenty-third Georgia Regi- 
ment entire, with their colors. 

We continued our advance, driving the enemy steadily 
before us until sun-down, and had pushed him fully five miles 
when suddenly came orders from corps headquarters to halt, 
and shortly afterwards to fall back to the field from which 
we had started in the morning. Reaching this point, we were 
much surprised to find our artillery in position, aiming in the 
direction of the plank road which we had occupied and 
entrenched the previous night. Here we learned that our 
retrogade movement was occasioned by the breaking of the 
line of the Eleventh Corps, commanded by General O. O. 
Howard, which had been pierced by a flank movement of 
Stonewall Jackson's command, and that the entire Third Corps 
was cut oft' from all communication with the rest of the army. 

Staff officers dashed furiously back and forth communicat- 
ing their orders in an undertone : "The plank road must be 
retaken before daylight." 

At about 9 o'clock p. m. the lines of attack were formed in 
double column; at lo the signal to advance was given, and in 
that bright moonlight, this forlorn hope, every man, conscious 
of the desperate nature of the undertaking, determined to 
reach the plank road or die in the attempt, moved cautiously 
but steadily forward through the dense forest in our present 
front. Appreciating the utter impossibility of attempting to 
ride through the thick undergrowth, mounted officers sent 
their horses to the rear and accompanied their men on foot. 

A hurried "farewell" was said as staff officers separated and 
each went to the position assigned him. With bayonets fixed, 
the line advanced, when suddenly a continuous sheet of flame 
from the muzzles of the enemy's cannon and muskets indi- 
cated the position of his lines which, in the darkness of the 
forest, had been hitherto unknown, and a perfect shower of 
"bullets whistled through the forest trees. 

We were ordered to reserve our fire, and with a cheer our 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 181 

lines advanced through the deep gloom of the forest. From 
front and right and left the artillery opened fire and the flash 
of the heavy guns, the trail of the deadly shot and shell as seen 
through the overhanging branches, added to the fearful sheet 
of flame from the infantry in compact masses in our front 
was, indeed, a magnificent but a terrible sight. Almost to the 
enemy's line, we discovered that they had taken advantage of 
the breastworks erected by us the preceding day, in addition 
to which they had constructed an almost impenetrable abattis 
in their front. 

Finding it absolutelV impossible to penetrate the lines of 
the enemy, our division re-formed and slowl}' fell back to the 
edge of the woods where we lay down, nearly exhausted by 
our long and tedious day's experience. The plank road had 
not been retaken, and all knew that on the morrow there must 
be another desperate struggle. 

There was an awful grandeur in this moonlight attack and 
as we who shared it, look back to that night of horror, from 
our present peaceful standpoints, w^e can even now imagine the 
determined faces of brave men advancing in solemn silence, 
with fixed bayonets and firm tread, through the gloom of a 
dense forest upon a hidden and wary foe, — the demoniac yell 
of the rebel forces — the flash of invisible guns marking the line 
of the enemy's defenses through the darkness — the gleaming 
of glittering bayonets in the pale moonlight. — the flash and 
roar of cannon answering cannon with their volleying 
thunders, — the crashing of shot and shell through overhanging 
branches, or shrieking over the very tree tops, — the regimental 
colors, tattered and torn but glorious and inspiring still, wav- 
ing in the uncertain light, — the moans of the dying and the 
plaintive cries of the wounded in their agon}'. Never can the 
recollection of that midnight attack at Chancellorsville fade 
from the memory of those who participated in it. Our killed 
and wounded were left where they fighting fell, and there was 
no means of ascertaining definitely their names or numbers. 
Several ])risoners from our division were lost during the 
cngfacrement. 



182 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

It was during the attack upon his lines, and in the immediate 
front of our division, that the famous Confederate General, 
Stonewall Jackson, was killed. 

The "moonlight" charge of the Sixty-third recalls another 
charge in which Colonel Hays showed the stufif he was 
made of. 

The army being on the move, a portion of the troops coming 
at right angles, obstructing our progress. Colonel Hays 
ordered the colonel in command of the offending troops to halt 
and let us pass, and upon his refusal to do so. Colonel Hays, 
in a very sharp and effective manner, ordered the Sixty -third 
to "fix bayonets, and charge," which Vv'as so promptly done 
that we had the right-of-way in double-quick time, bringing 
forth from the defeated colonel the inquiry: "Where did you 
get that regiment, colonel?" Colonel Hays promptly replied, 
"Ah, they are my boys from Pittsburgh." 

At daybreak of Sunday, May 3rd, the division was quietly 
formed in line and by a detour moved to the right and formed 
line of battle in front of the Chancellor House, but not without 
severe losses. At this point General Berry, commanding the 
Second Division of the Third Corps, was instantly killed. The 
fighting for about four hours was seldom equalled during the 
war for the fierceness and stubborness evinced in the charges 
and counter-charges, but it finally resulted in the complete 
rout of the enemy, who sullenly retired, and we still held the 
lines occupied by us in the morning, protected and strength- 
ened by traverses and a formidable abbatis. Here we did 
some terrible fighting. General Hooker had been wounded by 
a shell. Colonel Kirkwood was wounded, and Major Ryan 
assumed command. Color Sergeant Fitzgerald was severely 
wounded and Corporal George House, of Company B, carried 
oft' the colors. 

The morning of Monday, May 4th, found us still lying 
behind the entrenchments over which shot, shell and bullets 
fiew almost unceasingly. During the night there had been sev- 
eral skirmishes between the pickets of the opposing forces 
occasioned by attempts of the enemy to advance his lines, and 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 183 

desultory firing continued all nit;"ht. The morning;" of Tuesday, 
May 5th, was misty and lowering. At an early hour the 
enemy opened a heavy fire upon a working detail sent out 
for the purpose of entrenching. The enemy's fire was, how- 
ever, silenced by our batteries and the working party was 
permitted to continue its pursuits. Heavy rain fell during 
the afternoon, and at dusk the clouds and rain serving to 
obscure our movements from the enemy, the batteries com- 
menced to move quietl}^ to the rear. At 9 o'clock the infantry 
was ordered to ''fall in" and be prepared for an instant move. 
After standing in heavy marching order for some three or four 
hours, we were ordered to pitch tents and make ourselves 
comfortable! At 3 o'clock a. m. marching orders were again 
received and one hour later we were noiselessly moving to the 
rear. At daybreak we recrossed the Rappahannock and 
returned to the cami)s we had occupied previous to the dis- 
astrous campaign. 

Our loss in this battle was very heavy. Colonel Kirkwood 
died from his wounds soon after, Captain William Smith of 
Company A, Captain William Thc^mpsou of Company D, Lieu- 
tenants Milo j\I. Boyle of Company C, William McGrana- 
han of Company B, and William Weeks of Coiu])any IT, were 
killed. 

In an address delivered at a banquet of the Third Corps 
Union, Major General J. Watts de Peyster, referring to the 
heroic fighting of the Third Corps in this engagement, said: 

"Pretty much all the real hard fighting at Chancellorsville 
proper, i. e., on the great battle-Sunday, was accomplished by 
the "diamond patches." Plad Graham, constituting the lance 
head of the corps, been properly sujjported, he would have 
transfixed Stuart, successor to Jackson ; and. to use the sol- 
dier's term, he would have 'bust up' Lee." 



CHAPTER VIII. 

(From May 7, 1863, to July 1, 1863.) 



Camp Sickles -Annie Etheridge— The Kearney Cross— The March 
TO Gettysburg. 



'O! Star Spangled Banner! the flag of our pride! 
Though trampled by traitors and hasely defiled, 
Fling out to the glad winds, your red, white and blue, 
For the heart of the Northland is beating for you! 
And her strong arm is nerving to strike with a will. 
Till the foe and his boastings are humbled and still! 
Here's welcome to wounding, and combat and scars. 
And the glory of death — for the Stripes and the Stars! 

0! God of our fathers! this banner must shine 
Where battle is hottest, in warfare divine! 
The cannon has thundered, the bugle has blown — 
We fear not the summons — we fight not alone! 
0! lead us, till wide from the gulf to the sea. 
The land shall be sacred to Freedom and Thee! 
With love for oppression: with blessings for scars — 
One Country— One Banner — the Stripes and the Stars." 

— Edna Dean Proctor. 

FTER our return to Camp Sickles, the old routine of mili- 
tary life was resumed. The camps of the Kearney division 
wore a gala da}" appearance, division, brigade and regimental 
headquarters were elaborately decorated with arches, arbors 
and appropriate devices in evergreen, some of which were of 
colossal proportions, exhibiting no small degree of artistic 
taste and architectural skill. Nearly ever}" company street 
was ornamented according to the tastes of the temporary 
tenants, and the "houses" were models of proficiency in wood- 
craft. Boardwalks were constructed of puncheons, and every 
habitation was floored and contained convenient tables and 
comfortable bunks. Some of the ofificers' quarters were fur- 
nished with walnut bedsteads, sideboards, and marble-topped 
tables "hypothecated" by the soldiers from the neighboring 



A 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 185 

residences without the written or verbal permission or consent 
of the original owners. 

Division hospital was established near the Potomac Creek 
bridge and the wounded, who had been brought back in 
ambulances from the battlefield, and those who were subse- 
quently brought in under the truce which was arranged for 
that purpose, were comfortably situated and well cared for. 
On the nth day of May the Third Corps was reviewed by 
Major General Sickles. It was indeed sad to notice the 
decimated ranks of the gallant regiments composing it, as 
compared with the numbers present on review previous to the 
sanguinar}^ battles of the Cedars and Chancellorsville. 

Among the incidents of the Battle of Chancellorsville 
worthy of special mention, was the heroic conduct of Annie 
Etheridge, who was known and respected by every soldier of 
the Kearney Division, and as brave and worthy a heroine as 
ever received the plaudits of mankind, or the praises of the 
historian's or poet's pen. 

At the commencement of the war, many regiments recruited 
and mustered laundresses as provided for at that time by army 
regulations. Annie Etheridge, a young and remarkable attrac- 
tive girl from humble life, was among the laundresses of the 
Third Michigan Volunteers. When the regiment was ordered 
to the front, the other women returned to their homes, but 
Annie determined to "follow the flag." She accompanied the 
regiment, marching with the men, camping and bivouacking 
with them through all their campaigns and engagements. In 
camp, quiet, modest and industrious; in time of action, fearless 
and regardless of danger, attending to the wants of the 
wounded under the severest fire, she soon became a favorite of 
all, and woe to the soldier of any other command who uttered 
a disrespectful word in her presence. 

At the Battle of Williamsburg, while dressing wounds under 
fire, she attracted the attention of General Kearney, who pre- 
sented her with sergeant's chevrons, ordered the quarter- 
master to provide her with a horse and saddle, and announced 
that he would, at the first opportunity, recommend her for a 



186 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

sergeant's pay and warrant. After this, she was attached to 
brigade headquarters for more than a year, serving at the same 
time as cook for the officers' ihess. 

Sharing all the privations of soldiers, always at the front 
in time of action, with a kind word for the weary and a helping 
hand for the sick or wounded, she became a universal favorite 
with officers and men. During the most severe shelling on 
Sunday morning at Chancellorsville, she rode up where the 
brigade commander and his stafit" were watching the progress 
of the fight, and insisted upon their eating some breakfast and 
drinking hot coffee which she had thoughtfully prepared. 
Ordered repeatedly to seek a place of safety in the rear, she 
insistently refused until each one of the group had taken a 
drink of coffee from her canteen, "and a hard tack or two, if 
nothing more." While serving the "meal," three horses were 
shot and either killed or disabled under their riders by her 
side, but she never flinched or betrayed the slightest emotion 
of fear. Upon this eventful Sunday, later in the day, the 
enemy's fire had killed nearly every horse of one of our bat- 
teries on the firing line, several of the caissons had been 
exploded and more than half of the men shot at their posts. 
Disheartened, the remainder were about to abandon the guns 
when Annie, on her little roan mare, rode calmly up to the 
battery, so thinned and decimated and smiling, said: "That's 
right, boys ; now you've got good range, keep it up and you'll 
soon silence the guns !" The men took courage, remained at 
their posts, kept up their fire and not t)nly silenced the enemy's 
batteries, but saved their own pieces which they were about 
to abandon. One of the artillery men relating the incident, 
remarked : "All the officers in the Army of the Potomac could 
not have had as much inlluence over the men as did that brave 
little sergeant in petticoats." At another time during the day, 
she narrowly escaped capture. Riding along the extreme front 
on her errand of mercy in search of the wounded, she 
approached within a rod of the enemy's line and was chal- 
lenged. Grasping the pistol v^'hich she always wore in her 
belt, and wheeling her pony to the rear, amid a shower of 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 187 

bullets, she reached a place of safety with several bullet holes 
in her skirt. She said that she deteriuined to do a little fight- 
ing on her own hook rather than sul)niit to capture. 

On the 27th of Alay, the division was paraded to witness 
the presentation of the Kearney medals. These badges of 
honor were of bronze in the form of a Maltese cross, suspended 
from a bar, and were presented by a number of patriotic 
Philadelphians at the suggestion of General Birney, to such 
enlisted men as had particularly distinguished themselves in 
action by gallant conduct and conspicuous bravery. The 
recipients of the medals were non-commissioned officers and 
privates recommended by their superior officers for this dis- 
tinction. Speeches appropriate to the occasion were made by 
General Birney and the brigade and regimental commanders 
of his division. Among the recipients of the medals was Annie 
Etheridge, and as she modestly accepted the badge of bravery 
from the hands of General Birney, there was not a soldier in 
the division who did not feel that it was a just and fitting 
tribute to a brave woman. 

Among the members of the Sixty-third th.ere was a diversity 
of sentiment as to the \alue of the decoration; some who had 
been j)romoted from the ranks and whose commissions were 
awaiting their acceptance, begged the commanding officer to 
withhold their promotion and ]ierniit them to accept the medal 
for which they had been recommended, preferring it to a 
lieutenant's shoulder straps. Others regarded it as a meaning- 
less bauble and signified their willingness to "trade it ofif" for 
a square drink of whiskey. This medal of honor, as far as 
known, was the only badge of bravery presented during the 
war to the soldiers for gallant and meritorious conduct, and is 
today cherished by those to whom it was awarded, as any 
iron cross or star of the legion of honor bestowed by foreign 
potentates of European governments. 

Prior to the presentation proper, the dixision was paraded 
in solid order, and the following order was read : 



188 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

Headquarters First Division, Third Corps, 

May 16, 1863. 
General Order No. 48: 

The General commanding division, congratulates it on its achieve- 
ments of the 2nd and 3rd of May. The division pierced the center 
of the enemy's column, captured over seven hundred prisoners, then 
returning, breaking through the enemy, who had closed on its rear, 
executed successfully the order of the Major General commanding 
the army, to attack at midnight; then receiving the enemy's attack 
at daylight, held his hordes in check and at bay until ordered to 
withdraw and hold a position of honor given it in front of the new 
line. 

The division has added to the reputation gained at Yorktown, 
Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Glendale, Malvern Hill, Manassas, Chan- 
tilly and Fredericksburg, and can now add to those names, the 
Cedars and Chancellorsville. 

The Brigadier General commanding the division, announces the 
following names of rheritorious and distinguished non-commissioned 
officers and privates selected for their gallantry as recipients of the 
"Kearney Cross," the division decoration, as follows: 

Corporal George Gibson, Company A, Sixty-third P. V. 
Corporal Isaac McKeag, Company A, Sixty-third P. V. 
Sergeant David Strachan, Company B, Sixty-third P. V. 
Corporal George F. House, Company B, Sixty-third P. V. 
Sergeant Henry Kelly, Company C, Sixty-third P. V. 
Corporal David Lesseig, Company C, Sixty-third P. V. 
Private Samuel Hart, Company C, Sixty-third P. V. 
Sergeant Thos. Gaboon, Company D, Sixty-third P. V. 
Sergeant John C. Gray, Company D, Sixty-third P. V. 
Sergeant Robert Henry, Company E, Sixty-third P. V. 
Corporal John Heist, Company E, Sixty-third P. V. 
Private John Seifert, Company F, Sixty-third P. V. 
Private Stewart W. Fulton, Company F, Sixty-third P. V. 
Sergeant W. R. Nicholson, Company G, Sixty-third P. V. 
Private A. T. Moore, Sixty-third P. V. 

Corporal Frank H. Johnston, Company G, Sixty-third P. V. 
Sergeant Pater Weaver, Company H, Sixty-third P. V. 
Sergeant Hugh Kenney, Company H, Sixty-third P. V. 
Corporal Henry Campbell, Company H, Sixty-third P. V. 
Corporal Phillip Allebrand, Company I, Sixty-third P. V. 
Private John Allebrand, Company I, Sixty-third P. V. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 1S9 

Private James Gallatin, Company I, Sixty-third P. V. 
Corporal John H. Smith, Company K, Sixty-third P. V. 
Corporal Frank Rafter, Company K, Sixty-third P. V. 
The Cross is in honor of our leader, and the wearers of it will 
always remember his high standard of a true and brave soldier, and 
will never disgrace it. 

D. B. BIRNEY, 
Brigadier General Commanding. 

On the 6th of Jtiiie, indications pointed to another forward 
movement of the Army of the Potomac. A portion of the 
Sixth Corps again crossed the river below Fredericksburg and 
occupied the meadow, throwing up lines of breastworks and 
entrenchments and diverting the attention of the enemy by 
occasional demonstrations. 

On June nth we broke camp and entered ttpon the Gettys- 
burg campaign. The weather was extremely warm when we 
began the long march northward, and there was considerable 
straggling, but the boys all came up in the evening. On the 
13th we marched to within a short distance of Rappahannock 
Station, and on the 14th moved to Manassas Junction. This 
was one of the warmest days of that hot summer, and several 
of our men were prostrated by the heat. On the i6th we 
moved to Bull Run, and camped at Mitchell's Ford. 

General Alex Hays was in command hereabout, and with 
his staff, A. A. General Captain Corts, and A. D. C. Lieutenant 
Shields, all old members of the Sixty-third, received us very 
pleasantly ; the ale they gave us surely washed our throats 
quite clear of the dust. 

On the 17th we marched to Centervillc. On the afternoon 
of that day, after we had started on the march from Gum 
Springs, a severe storm of rain, thunder and lightning set in, 
and we were drenched. We reached Gum Springs during the 
night of the 20th and remained there until the 25th of June. 
The entire country in this vicinity was infested by guerrillas 
and promiscuous straggling, and foraging was peremptorily 
forbidden. Gum Springs was a most forlorn and desolate 
looking hamlet in a state of complete decay. 



190 UNDER THE RED PATCH , 

It was here we learned that Lee's Army was on the march 
to Pennsylvania. We at once broke camp and crossed the 
Potomac at Edward's Ferry, and moved up the river to the 
mouth of the Monoccacy, and on the 26th, moved to Point of 
Rocks on the Potomac. On the 27th we started about 8 
o'clock in the morning, passing through Jefferson, and halted 
for the night near Middletown, Md., about a mile from the 
latter place. 

The corps marched through both these places in column by 
company, with colors unfurled and brass bands and drum 
corps playing patriotic airs. Here we witnessed the first 
expression of Union sentiment that had gladdened our eyes 
and hearts for many months. "Old Glory" was displayed from 
most of the houses and fair ladies greeted the soldiers with 
approving smiles and words of welcome. A tliousand hand- 
kerchiefs waved from windows and house tops, and on every 
side from loyal citizens, old and young, we received assur- 
ances of sympathy, welcome, and good will. Such enthusiasm 
and demonstrations of patriotism were indeed gratifying to 
men who had been so long in an unfriendly country and sur- 
rounded by the bitterest foes. The soldiers cheered the old 
flag and the ladies vociferously, and enjoyed the occasion to 
the fullest extent. The rebel army had passed through these 
places but a few days before and the citizens hailed our coming 
with unmistakable pleasure. Continuing our march we passed 
through Fairview, and arrived at Frederick City shortly after 
noon. We marched for nearly a mile through the beautiful 
city and our progress was again one continued ovation. The 
day, the occasion, and the reception we received here will for- 
ever be cherished in the memory of the soldiers of the old 
Third Army Corps. 

Frederick City will be remembered as the home of "Barbara 
Frietche," whose determined devotion to our glorious banner 
during the march of the rebel army through the streets won 
the admiration of Stonewall Jackson, when 

"She leaned far out the window still 
And shook it forth with a royal will." 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 191 

After a short halt for rest in the outskirts of the cit}'. we 
continued our march, hivouackinj;- for the nig'ht near W'alkers- 
villc. Our course lay through a most magnificent section of 
the State. Large fields of waving wheat, ripe for the harvest, 
splendid farm houses, spacious granaries, barns and store- 
houses, bespeaking the fruitfulness and fertility of the soil and 
the thrift and industry of its people abounded along our route, 
and we had the happy consciousness of knowing and feeling 
that we were once more among friends. At this place we 
received the intelligence that General Hooker had been 
relie\-ed from the connnand of the Army of the Potomac, 
and ("leneral George G. Meade of Pennsylvania had been 
appointed his successor. Hooker's farewell and Meade's order 
in assuming the command were here promulgated to the 
troops. 

On the 29th our march was continued through Walkersville, 
Woodbury, Middlebury and Taneytown, and our reception in 
the various places as extremely enthusiastic. Ladies and 
young girls distributed beautiful bouquets to the officers and 
soldiers; groups of fair damsels bewitchingiy posted in con- 
spicuous places sang patriotic airs as, the "boys in blue" 
passed by and the passage of troops being a novelty here, the 
citizens turned out en masse. Long after tattoo, groups of 
ladies and gentlemen promenaded through our camps, actuated 
by a curiosity to sec how soldiers really lived in the tented 
field. 

On the 30th the various regiments of the army were "mus- 
tered for pay" and in the afternoon we were again en route, 
marching through Taneytown and I'ridgej^ort, to near 
Emmettsburg. 

The morning of Wednesday, July ist, was cloudy with 
signs of rain. At 9 o'clock tents were struck and the battalions 
in line pursuant to orders. i)e Trobriand's Brigade, with one 
from the Second Corps and a light battery, were left near 
Emmettsburg to guard one of the mountain passes, and the 



192 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

remainder of the corps pushed on to Gettysburg. Rumors 
reached us here of a severe engagement at that place in which 
the First and Eleventh Corps participated, and of the death 
of the gallant Major General Reynolds, commanding the First 
Corps. 






Sixty-third Regiment Monunient, Gettysburg Battlefield. 



CHAPTER IX. 

(From July 1, 1S63, to July 7, 1S63.) 

The Battles of Gettysburg, "Devil's Den" and Little Round 
Top, and "Longstreet's Assault"— Captured Battle Flags— 
The "Fourth" on the Field. 



It was the languid hour of noon, 
When all the birds were out of tune, 
And nature in a sultry swoon, 
In pleasant Pennsylvania! 

When — sudden o'er the slumbering plain, 
Red flashed the battle's fiery rain — 
The volleying cannon shook again 
The hills of Pennsylvania! 

Beneath that curse cf iron hail, 
That threshed the plain with flashing flail, 
Well might the .stoutest soldier quail, 
In echoing Pennsylvania! 

Then, like a sudden summer rain, 
Storm driven o'er the darkened plain, — 
They burst upon our ranks and main. 
In startled Pennsylvania! 

We felt the old, ancestral thrill, 
From sire to son, transmitted still 
And fought for freedom with a will. 
In pleasant Pennsylvania! 

The breathless shock — the maddened toil — 
The sudden clinch — the sharp recoil — 
And we were masters of the soil. 
In bloody Pennsylvania! 

To Westward fell the beaten foe. — 

The growl of battle, hoarse and low 

Was heard anon— but dying slow, 

In ransomed Pennsylvania! 

Sou'westward. with the sinking sun, 
The cloud of battle, dense and dun. 
Flashed into fire — and all was won 
In joyful Pennsylvania! 



194 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

But ah! — the heaps of loyal sla'n! 
The bloody toil!^ — the bitter pain! 
For those who shall not stand again 
In pleasant Pennsylvania! 

Back through the verdant valley lands, 
Fast fled the foe, in frightened bands. 
With broken swords and empty hands. 
Out of Pennsylvania! 

/^ N THE morning of Jnl}^ 2nd the Sixty-third was on picket 
duty and some brisk skirmishing with the enemy occupy- 
ing the "peach orchard" and the grounds around the Sherfy 
house ensued. 

From the peach orchard the line of Birney's division curved 
around to the "Devil's Den," at the foot of little Round Top, 
where Ward's and de Trobriand's brigades were stationed. 
Hood's division of the Confederates was opposite our right 
and Barkdale's brigade was in our immediate front. 

Captain Robert A. Nesbitt, of Company A, thus describes 
the part taken by the Sixty-third on the second day's fight at 
Gettysburg : 

On the evening of July 1st, the Sixty-third Regiment moved up the 
Emmettsburg and Gettysburg road, taking a position that afterwards 
proved to be the spot chosen by Sickles to fight Longstreet, on the 
afternoon of July 3rd. On the same evening the regiment moved out 
along the Emmettsburg and Gettysburg road, with left opposite what 
it now known as the "Peach Orchard," and facing "Confederate Ave- 
nue," where the enemy was posted in the woods. The extreme left, 
where Company B was stationed, and just on the left of the orchard 
the members of the Sixty-third Regiment tore down the rail fences 
and built a rifle pit, facing the enemy across an oats field. Here 
we remained all night, pickets in the road, and at 3 o'clock on the 
afternoon of July 2nd, the enemy was discovered approaching with a 
long line of skirmishers, their right extending a half mile or more 
beyond the Sixty-third's extreme left. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon 
the commanding officers of the rebel line was now almost in front 
when the officer in command of the Union line gave orders to fire 
and kill the commanding officer of Longstreet's skirmish line. All 
fired and he fell dead in his tracks. "We held the line in our immedi- 
ate front, firing at every head that showed above the oats. The 
rebels' skirmish line on the right, not being opposed by any troops, 
tried to form a loop round the left of the Union skirmish line and 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 195 

while the left of the Sixty-third was fighting thus a rebel battery 
was posted on the extreme right of the Confederate line. The left 
of the Union line fell back, forming a triangle towards Emmettsburg 
and facing what is now known as Confederate Avenue. A battery 
of light artillery was posted immediately in the rear of a little log 
house in the orchard. Here an artillery duel was fought over the 
left of the Union skirmish line. They remained in this position until 
the One Hundred and Fortieth New York made connection with their 
regiment on the left of Company B, and moved across toward the 
Devil's Den, facing the enemy as it moved toward Round Top. When 
Sickles had his corps, as he thought, properly formed, we were 
ordered away from the position which we were holding and were 
moved back to the Heights where the regiment was reformed. 

For about two hotirs our brigade was exposed to a territic 
artillery fire, the battalions of the enetny potiring in a fierce 
hail of shells. After this the rebel infantry came rushing at 
us through the fields west of the Sherfy house, and we dis- 
covered that they had broken through the peach orchard and 
were swarming up the road in our rear. We were compelled' 
to fall back, the battle raging until dark. 

The fighting in front of our lines during this memorable 
2nd of July, was fierce and furious. Houghton, the historian 
of the Seventeenth Maine, which was in the division, says: 

"At times the fighting was hand to hand. At one point a 
rebel color was planted upon the very wall behind which we 
lay; it remained, howe\er, but an instant ; the color bearer was 
shot down, and as he fell, the flag was seized by a comrade 
and borne to the rear. Here and there, indiviflual rebels had 
gained the other side of the wall, and fought till they fell. 
separated from us only by the thickness of the wall. Hundreds 
were killed within three feet of the wall and many were pierced 
by Union bayonets as they attempted to scale it." 

On the morning of jtdy ^^rd, our brigade was posted in a 
grove about thrce-cjuarters of a mile to the rear of the Sherfy 
house. Here we remained until about 2 o'clock in the after- 
noon when the terrible cannonading which preceded I^ong- 
street's assault, or Pickett's desperate charge, began. ^I'he 
roar of that cannonading will never be forgotten while life 
lasts, by any of the soldiers who were at Gettysbiu\g. We 



196 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

were ordered into line, and facing to the right advanced at 
double-quick, and formed a line in the rear of the artillery. 
Soon loud cheering began on the right, and we knew that the 
last effort of the rebels had failed. The "high water mark" of 
the Confederacy had been reached, and for the first time the 
rebel army, beaten and demoralized, was falling back in defeat. 

The rolls of the Sixty-third show that there w'ere twenty 
oflficers and two hundred and seventy-five men reported for 
duty. The number actually carried into action at the Battle 
of Gettysburg is not recorded. The losses reported in this 
battle were : 

Killed, I private ; wounded, ofificers. 3 ; privates, 26 ; cap- 
tured or missing, 4 privates; a total of 34 casualties. 

While the Sixty-third was holding its perilous position with 
Birney's Division of the Third Corps on the left of the line, 
in front of the Round Tops, General Hays, with two officers 
of the regiment, members of his staff, George P. Corts, captain 
and assistant adjutant general, and David Shields, lieutenant 
and aide de camp, on another portion of the field w-ere con- 
spicuous in bearing the brunt of the battle in front of the 
point made famous in history as the scene of "Longstreet's 
Assault," erroneously designated by some historians as 
"Pickett's Charge." 

General Hays was assigned by orders from army headquar- 
ters, after General Meade had assumed command of the Army 
of the Potomac, to the command of the Third Division of the 
Second Corps, General Hancock's, receiving his assignment 
during the march of the army at Gum Springs on June 26, 
1863. 

But two persons in the centre division, the officers above 
named, had ever been with him in an engagement, or per- 
sonally witnessed his conduct and braver}^ under fire. Arriv- 
ing upon the battlefield wdth his new command, and realizing 
the situation and magnitude of the pending conflict, the gen- 
eral was naturally somewhat concerned and anxious to gain 
the confidence of the ofificers and men of the division. The 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 197 

opportunity came when a lieutenant from the skirmish line 
excitedly announced to him that Colonel Sherrill, division 
officer of the day, reported that his command was suffering 
severely and that he was afraid they would be forced to retire. 
The lieutenant was very persistent, and the general replied: 
"There are as many men out there as are necessary, and they 
are as good men as there are in this division ; they must hold 
the ground." "But," the lieutenant replied, "Colonel Sherrill 
says that he will not be responsible for them remaining there." 
General Hays answered : "Well, I will go out and stiffen 'em 
up." Accordingly, with members of the staff, a number of 
orderlies and the division flag, (white field with blue trefoil), 
flying in the breeze, he rode to the front and along the entire 
skirmish line covering his command. The enemy, astonished 
at the appearance of this imposing cavalcade on the skirmish 
line, ceased firing at the skirmishers and directed their atten- 
tion exclusively to the mounted officers and men. The general, 
for whom these compliments (?) were especially intended, 
wonderful to relate, was not once hit nor was his clothing 
pierced by the leaden shower. His horse received several 
wounds but was not disabled, and the division flag showed 
eighteen bullet holes received during this daring adventure. 
Such an exhibition of manly courage and unflinching bravery 
upon so unusual an occasion, won for him the admiration of 
the enemy and the confidence of his entire command ; there 
was no further talk of "running in" from the skirmish line. 

On the occasion of T^ongstrcet's famous assault on the 3rd 
of July, which was directed upon the front of this division. 
General Hays had in his command, to oppose them, only 
about three thousand men. The artillery fire, though terrific 
in its volume, was not very effective at this point as our 
infantry was lying down and in front of the artillery, which 
it seemed the enemy was determined to destroy. 

When our artillery fire had about ceased, the infantry of the 
enemy came into the open from the woods, over half a mile 
distant, where they had formed for the charge, in three lines 
preceded l:)y a strong skirmish line, marching well and bravely 



19cS UNDER THE RED PATCH 

in the direction of Hays' position. When they had fully 
developed their column into the open ground, there appeared 
a separate and detached command on their left, much farther 
advanced, but not directed on Hays' immediate front. Had 
they been able to continue their movement, they would have 
passed to our right, but they received such a murderous fire 
from our sharpshooters, skirmishers, and artillery that they 
were thrown into utter confusion and went back. This, it was 
ascertained, was Brockenbrough's brigade, and did w'hat was 
expected of it, covered the left flank of the main column. Had 
the right covering brigade moved as timely, Pickett's division 
would have been enabled to reach their farthest advance in 
better order than they did. As the right flank of the main 
column received so severe a fire from our artillery, they gave 
way to the left, so when some 400 3^ards away they evidently 
attempted to regain their correct alignment and measurably 
succeeded, thereby relieving the pressure to the left and came 
directly towards us in front. It could not be long enough 
continued to regain their lost direction or guide, as they then 
came under our infantry fire, which was so destructive that 
they wxre thrown into inextricable confusion ; those in front 
(the nearest twenty (20) yards) lay down, threw up their 
hands, crying to us to cease firing. Hays' division then 
directed its fire upon those in the rear, who were wavering, 
some trying to go forward, others hesitating, and many going 
to the rear. Those in front came into our lines, some crawling 
on their bellies, and others in a stooping position to avoid our 
fire. They were permitted to go to the rear, unguarded and 
uncounted, it is reckoned they were more in numbers than 
there were in Hays' division, llie regiment on the extreme 
right of this command, the Eighth Ohio, captured the colors 
of a rebel regiment of Armistead's brigade, which was on the 
extreme right of their main column, showing the great con- 
fusion they were in. 

It was a glorious victory and gloriously did General Hays, 
the members of his staff, and entire command enjoy it. Under 
the inspiration of this feeling General Hays seized one of the 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 199 

captured flags, haiuling' one each to Captain Corts and Lieu- 
tenant Shields, his aids, directing them to follow him. 
The three, trailing the flags in the dust at the heels of their 
horses, rode in triumph along the front of the division line 
over the dead and wounded of the enemy, possessed wholly by 
the spirit and exhiliration of victory. 

The flags were then returned to their captors and the 
general, accompanied by Lieutenant Shields, proceeded to the 
left of the line to ascertain how affairs had gone there. 

^^'hile looking at a number of the LTnion dead, dressed in 
dark blue zouave uniforms, among our artillery, and wonder- 
ing how they could have been so faultily left there instead of 
being moved forward in line with the others, General A. S. 
Webb, in command there, rode up to General Hays, with his 
hat off, ver}- much excited, and said : "Hays, they got through 
m_v line." 'T'll be damned if they got through mine," Hays 
replied. Webb wheeled his horse around and rode away. 
This was the Philadelphia brigade of the Second Corps sta- 
tioned on our immediate left. 

During the afternoon of this day Ma.jor General Daniel E. 
Sickles, the gallant commander of the Third Corps who was 
throughout the entire engagement, in the very front, received 
a severe wound in the leg which rendered amputation neces- 
sary. While being borne from the field upon a stretcher, he 
coolly lighted a cigar and puffed away with as much non- 
chalance as though enjoying an after dinner siesta at his own 
headquarters. Referring to this day's engagement, Abbott's 
History of the Civil War, says: 

"The brave Third Corps, under the imperturable Sickles, stood 
like granite blocks. They were tried troops; the enemy, thirty to 
forty thousand strong in numbers, beat vainly on their lines, again 
and again." 

DePeyster, the ever zealous historian of the Third Corps, 
in an address to the Third Corps Union, says : 

"The crimson sunrise of the Third Corps at Williamsburg was 
frllcwed by a brilliant and cloudless noon on the Peninsula and in 
North Eastern Virginia, and just as the sun is hotter and more 
overpowering in the afternoon, even so the splendors of the old 



200 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

Third glorified its sinking and setting at Ctiancellorsville and Gettys- 
burg — ■ 

At Gettysburg, if not the first upon the field, it was the first in its 
efforts to pursue the key-points on our left. Its unparalleled devo- 
tion and fearful suffering in the lowlands to their front, saved the 
Round Tops. 

On the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg — the real day of 
the Battle of Gettysburg — the glory belongs to the Third Corps, 
even as it did on the second, the day of the Battle of Chancellors- 
ville. There it lost its beloved chief, Sickles; and there, in the front 
rank fell, almost shot to pieces, his successor in command of the 
'Excelsiors,' Gra^iam, lately the honored head of this association — 

This was the last grand fight of the "Third Corps, as we under- 
stand it;" but not the last grand fight of the heroes who consti- 
tuted its brains and muscles, its fire and its backbone. 

The work of the old Third has been revealed under fire, through 
fire, by fire. Let us ever bear in mind that the Red Diamond Lozenge 
or .patch of Kearney, was the original designation of the leading 
division of the Third Army Corps Union — 

But even as the diamond, the ruby and the sapphire exceeded in 
value and brilliancy the carbuncle or any other jewel, even so the 
lustre of our symbolic gems will outshine all other emblems." 

The troops were nearly exhausted by their long marches 
and severe fighting after the repulse of Pickett's charge, and 
remained tipon the field engaged in caring for the wounded 
and burying the dead of both armies, who lay thickly strewn. 

" on the embattled field, 

Slain or half dead, in one huge ghastly heap 
Promiscuously amassed. With dismal groans 
And ejaculations in the pargs of death, 
Some called for aid neglected; some o'erturned 
In the fierce shock lay gasping, and expired. 
Trampled by fiery coursers! Horror, thus. 
And wild uproar and desolation reigned 
Unrespited." 

The ground for miles around was covered with abandoned 
arms and accountrements of the disabled Union and Confeder- 
ate soldiers. 

The morning of July Fourth — "The Birthday of Our 
Nation" — dawned in unusual splendor upon the ensanguined 
field. But few shots were exchanged during the day, and 
working parties and hospital attendants were unmolested in 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 201 

their tasks and ^vorks of mercy. J\Iany of the bodies of the 
slain, which had lain in the hot sunshine for two or three days, 
were hideously swollen and distorted, and it was found impos- 
sible even for intimate friends or relatives to recognize them 
by their features. 

Realizing that victory had perched for almost the first time 
upon the banners of the Union Army, the bands and drum 
corps of the various regiments, brigades and divisions which 
had been assigned to duty with the hospital and ambulance 
corps during the engagement, were ordered to the front and 
all day long discoursed patriotic airs. 

It was 'apparent on the morning of the 5th, that the 
defeated and discomfited enemy was in full retreat, shame- 
fully abandoning thousands of their wounded on the battle- 
field, and in the hastily improvised field hospitals, leaving 
them to the tender mercies of the much-despised "Yankee 
hirelings" and "mudsills,' who treated them, however, with the 
same careful solicitude given to their own soldiers. 

Several corps moved during the afternoon and evening, fol- 
lowing up the retreating hosts of Lee and harassing his rear. 

On the 6th, while still upon the field of our glorious victory, 
intelligence was received of the fall of Vicksburg, and the 
troops became very enthusiastic over the "glad tidings of 
great joy." General Meade's modest congratulatory order 
was promulgated, during the day. 

On the morning of July 7th, the Sixty-third was promptly 
in line, with the balance of the Third Corps, and flushed with 
victory, commenced its return trip to the "sacred soil" of the 
old Dominion. 

Out of a total of thirty-three flags taken by the entire Union 
Army from the enemy at Gettysburg, General Hays' command 
captured twenty-two, receipts for which are in possession of 
General Hays' family, and invoices for fifteen arc shown. 
Seven of these flags were secreted by the men capturing them, 
distributed as souvenirs and never turned in : 



202 



UNDER THE RED PATCH 



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CHAPTER X. 

(From July 7, 1863, to September 12, 1863.) 



Ths Return from Gettysburg - Battle of Wapping Heights- 
Sulphur Springs. 



"Flag of the free heart's hope and home. 

By angel hands to valor given! 
Thy stars have lit the welkin dome, 

And all they hues were born in Heaven. 
Forever float that standard sheet! 

Where breathes the foe but falls before us! 
With freedom's soil beneath our feet. 

And freedom's banner waving o'er us! 
* * * 

And when the cannon-mountings loud 

Heave in wild wreaths the battle shroud. 
And gory sabres rise and fall 

Like shoots of flame on midnight pall, 
Then shall they meteor glances glow, 

And cowering foes shall shrink beneath 
Each gallant arm that strikes below 

That lovely messenger of death." 

— Joseph Rodman Drake. 

TT HE Battle of Gettysburg, the first great battle for the 
Union fought on Freedom's soil, had been won, and a 
demoralized foe was fleeing from the scene of the first decisive 
defeat, with a victorious army in pursuit. Traces of the dis- 
comfiture were everywhere visible as we passed through 
Emmettsburg, Middletovvn, Mechanicsville and Frederick 
City, arriving on July 9th at a point near South Mountain. 

On the loth the march was resumed, and passing through 
Keedysvillc we crossed Antietam Creek, and encamped near 
the stone bridge made famous by Burnside's gallant charge 
on the Antietam battlefield. 

The Third Corps at South Mountain had been augumented 
by General French's Division, which, during the Battle of 
Gettysburg, had been stationed at Harper's Ferry and vicin- 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 205 

ity. This division contained six regiments, numbering- nearly 
seven thousand availal)le men, while the two old divisions of 
the "Fighting Third Corps," Hooker's and Kearney's, with 
forty regiments, could scarcely muster for duty five thousand 
soldiers. V>y virtue of seniority of rank, at this point, Gen- 
eral French assumed command of the corps. 

xA^bout noon on July 14th, word was received that General 
Lee, with his army, had succeeded in recrossing the Potomac^ 
wdiich had been greatly swollen by recent rains, and we con- 
tinued our march in the direction of Williamsport, passing 
through the strong lines of entrenchments recently held by 
the retreating arm3\ On the following day we passed through 
Fairplay and Sharpsburg, marching in the direction of 
Harper's Ferry, continuing on the i6th through Pleasant 
Valley, bivouacking for the night near Sandy Hook. On our 
route we passed the former home of old John Brow^n, whose 
soul, according to song and tradition, is still valiantly 
"marching on." At 4 o'clock p. m. on July i6th, we crossed 
the Potomac at Harper's Ferry, to the tune of 

"Carry me back to old Vii'ginia 
To old Virginia's shore." 

Our column, in the dim, uncertain light of a cloudy, misty 
evening, dragged its slow length along the base of the moun- 
tain into the beautiful Loudon Valley, bivouacking for the 
night at 10 o'clock, only to be aroused by reveille at 3 o'clock 
the next morning, to resume our pilgrimage in the direction of 
Leesburg, going into camp at noon for the remainder of the 
day, where we enjoyed a much-needed rest. On the morning 
of July 19th we again marched at daylight, halting at ii 
o'clock a. m., near Woodville. On the 20th we marched con- 
tinuously from 4 o'clock a. m. till 3 p. m., when we bivouacked 
near Upperville, after covering about fifteen miles. The day 
was hot and sultry and the march a most fatiguing one. We 
remained here during the 21st, and on the following day 
resumed our march, passing through the villages of Piedmont, 
Markham and Thaycrsvillc, to Manassas Gap. The First and 



2 06 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

Second Divisions were temporarily detached from the corps 
and army for the purpose of holding .Manassas Gap. 

At 3 o'clock on the morning of July 23rd, our division was 
once more on the move and formed in line of battle on an 
eminence overlooking the village of Linden, where we 
remained for a short time while our cavalry scouts and 
infantr}' skirmishers proceeded to "stir up" the enemy who, 
we discovered, had quite a formidable line in our immediate 
front. 

As a support to the skirmishers, our division advanced in 
line of battle over hills and through valleys, until we had suc- 
ceeded in driving the enemy two or three miles from ground 
of his own selection. The fields over which we advanced 
were not available for artillery, and although the Keystone 
and Captain Robinson's h\)urth Maine Batteries were with us, 
they did not open fire during the day. General French, who 
accompanied the division as commander, imagined that the 
enemy was in strong force in our front, and by his representa- 
tions induced General Meade to advance the whole army of 
the Potomac to within supporting distance. In the afternoon 
we were subjected to severe shelling from the enemy's bat- 
teries, but by forming our lines of battle under the brow of a 
hill and taking advantage of natural protection, our loss dur- 
ing the day was comparatively light. The Second Division 
bore the brunt of the fight, which was known in official reports 
as the "Battle of Wapping Heights." 

Colonel Ivirkwood, having died from wounds received in 
action, Major John A. Danks was promoted to Lieutenant 
Colonel, and Captain James V. Ryan to Major of the Sixty- 
third. 

On the morning of the 25th, we again took up the line of 
march, passing through Salem, and bivouacking for the night 
in a blackberry patch near the village. On the following day 
we passed through A\'arrenton and went into camp at Sulphur 
Springs, where communication with Washington was opened 
for the first time since leaving the Gettysburg battlefield. 

Sulphur Springs was, in ante-bellum days, a famous resort 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 207 

of the chivalry of the South. Though the spleudid buildings 
of the once magnificent watering place were in ruins, the 
"Season" of 1863, as inaugurated by the grand triumphal 
march of the old Phil Kearney division, was fully equal in the 
number and prestige of its male guests to the palmiest days 
of Sulphur Springs, when Davis, Clay, Calhoun and the fam- 
ous fire-eaters and statesmen of the South honored the place 
with their presence and languid valitudinarians, stately 
matrons, and youthful belles and l^eaux held high carnival 
at \''irginia"s famous resort. 

Within a short distance from Hedgeman's River (the north 
fork of the historic Rappahannock) and six miles from the 
beautiful little city of W'arrenton. our summer encampment 
was most delightfully located on the old "Tournament 
Grounds," where in former times the self-styled chivalry of 
the South were wont to display the feats of athletic skill and 
horsemanship, in mimic warfare, joust and tilt, to admiring 
belles, imitating the exploits of famous knights in ancient 
days, when chivalry was more than an empty name. 

On these famous grounds, the white tents of " Northern 
mudsills" were pitched and their daily drills, reviews and dress 
parades presented a far more beautiful and insi)iring spectacle 
than even the best days of Sulphur Springs could boast. The 
large hotel, once capable of accommodating fifteen hundred 
guests, had been demolished by shot and shell ; a portion of 
the walls and the colossal pillars that once supported its 
portico were still standing, and the effect of the stately ruins, 
especially by moonlight, was fine. 

"Rowdy Hall," totally dismantled, but witli walls and rooms 
intact, a four-story brick edifice, was utilized as a division 
hosi)ital. The building, as its name implies, was formerh' a 
"holy terror" to staid old matrons and demure young misses, 
when it was the favorite resort of the fast blades and wild 
scions of Southern aristocracy, who were wont to reign 
supreme within its walls, making night hideous and waking 
the echoes with their bacchanalian revels and batchelor 



20S UNDER THE RED PATCH 

pranks, after the more sedate denizens of the hotel proper 
had retired to their quiet quarters. 

The grounds adjoining the hotel ruins were tastefully laid 
out and abounded in stately, mag-nificent shade trees, beneath 
whose branches groups of soldiers wearing the red patch, 
reclined with all the abandon of Southern planters, and 
enjoyed their "otium cum dignitate," when not on duty. In the 
centre of the grounds were the ruins of a once beautiful foun- 
tain ; but the walls of its cistern were cracked and crumbling; 
grass and rank weeds grew in its basin, and its jets no longer 
sparkled in the summer sun. 

An octagonal building, fashioned after a Greek temple, with 
its white pillars and crumbling roof, at the foot of the main 
walk covered the springs proper, and thither, during our sea- 
son, officers and enlisted men in great numbers resorted to 
drink its famed medicinal and health-giving waters. Here, 
reclining upon the seats arranged around the temple, were 
wont to assemble in summer days gone by, stout old ladies, 
confirmed invalids, the fat, the gouty, the consumptive, 
bright-eyed belles and gallant beaux, senators and statesmen, 
politicians and planters, governors and gossips, bishops and 
laymen, to discuss the weighty affairs of church and state, 
politics, fashion, literature, love and scandal ; and here perhaps 
to a greater extent than in any other portion of the South, not 
even excepting Charleston, South Carolina, were conceived, 
concocted and perfected the infamous schemes of traitors to 
dissolve the Union, during the seasons of i860 and 1861. The 
seats were now in ruins, the walls were covered with mould, 
the beautiful statue thrown from its pedestal and so defaced 
that even its sculptor would fail to recognize his handiwork. 

Under the stately trees surrounding the ruins the head- 
quarter tents of Major General Rirney and staff were pic- 
turesquely pitched. 

During our stay here, a theater was improvished, and 
"refined vaudeville" entertainments given by Third Corps 
talent, that would reflect credit upon many of the stock com- 
panies and star combinations of the great metropolis. The 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 209 

front of one of the cottag^es in the hotel yard, with its pretty 
portico an \ine-covcre(l trellises, formed an appropriate 
background; foot lights were extemporized from fruit and 
vegetable cans illuminated by government candles, and the 
entire stage and scenic accessories reflected great credit upon 
the ingenuity and artistic attainments of the men among 
whom were also discovered a number possessing histrionic 
and musical talent of a high order. 

The division remained in its pleasant camp at Sulphur 
Springs until September 15th, performing the ordinary duties 
of soldiers in the field, and enjoyed the pleasant summer sea- 
son of 1863, bathing in the pellucid water of Hedgeman's 
River, drinking the highly impregnated medicinal waters of 
the Springs, and resting after the lazy manner of soldiers in 
camp. 

The waters of the Springs were at first very unpalatable, 
but after the men became accustomed to the taste, they rel- 
ished them much better than the insipid waters procured for. 
drinking purposes from the river and hastily dug wells in 
camp. 

Old Henry Gardner, of Company A, took a mouthful, spat 
it out and said, "Mine Gott, boys! Don't he schmell pad?" 
Polk AFcCullough, after trying to drink it, said : "It was too 

d botanical for him, and anyone wdio would drink such 

stuff was sure to die of the black tongue." It was said to be 
ver}^ healthful, and it certainly should have had that virtue 
at least. 

On the 14th of August, every commissioned officer and 
enlisted man of the (Jld Third Corps — "The Third Corps, as 
we understand it," comprising the divisions formerly com- 
manded by Kearney and Hooker, contributed one day's pay 
to the purchase of a carriage for the gallant Sickles, who lost 
a leg at Gettysburg. This was a touching testimonial from 
the men who had witnessed his gallantry on the blood-stained 
fields of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, and was to him a 
mr)st pleasant assurance of the respect and esteem v»ilh which 



210 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

the war-worn heroes of tlie dechnated division regarded their 
old commander. 

On the 23rd of August, the division was reviewed by Gen- 
eral Birney, and on the 7th of September, the entire corps 
passed in review before Major General Meade, commander of 
the Army of the Potomac, and a large number of distinguished 
guests. 

While at this camp we received quite a number of recruits, 
conscripts and substitutes. Many thought that the govern- 
ment made a mistake in placing the new men among the old 
veterans, instead of in regiments by themselves, as the original 
volunteers looked on the drafted men as those who would not 
enlist to fight for their country, but waited to be dragged out. 
Of the substitutes who entered the service for the purpose of 
securing big bounties, there was much distrust as in the North 
at this time, the practice of "bounty jumping" had almost 
reached the dignity of a profession among the criminal classes. 

A sharp little Dutchman named Billy Bitner, of our regi- 
ment, got up a financial scheme by making a kind of walking 
speakeasy of himself. Many of the conscripts dearly loved 
their whiskey, but the commissary would not sell any to the 
private soldiers, and the conscripts, not understanding the art 
of sectiring it, sought Billy as their friend. He told them that 
it was very hard to get and very dear, and a canteenful would 
cost them two dollars. Those that had money and a severe 
thirst, gave him the cash at once. Billy would write an order 
on the commissary, signing an officer's name, and take it to 
the commissary where he would get his canteen filled for 
fifty cents, making a good profit. 

On the 1 2th of September, while the troops were on brigade 
drill, marching orders were received and we returned to camp, 
packed uj), and were shortly in line and en route. 

Rumors had l)een rife for several days that Lee was con- 
templating another Northern campaign, with a view to 
bolstering up the fortunes of the Confederacy, capture Balti- 
more, Washington, Pittsburg and Philadelphia, retrieve the 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 211 

disasters of two former attempts, and it was even thought that 
he. with his army of Northern Virginia, was ah^eady on the 
move. 

Onr stay at this place had been long and pleasant, yet with 
some regrets at leaving the picturesque camp and routine of 
light duty, the prospect of another campaign was hailed with 
joy by many of the soldiers, already tired with "stiff parades, 
blank and empty forms, and stately courtesy." 

After a march of a few miles we bivouacked for the night 
at lo o'clock p. m. near Fox's Mill. 



CHAPTER XL 

(From September 16, 18G3, to December 3, 1863.) 



March to Culpepper— The Third Corps Union— Centerville and 
Brandy Station— Battles of Auburn, Kelly's Ford, Locust 
Grove and Mine Run. 



'Oh, there's not a trade that's going, 
Worth showing, 
Or knowing, 
Like that from glory growing. 
For a bold sojer boy: 

Where right or left we go. 

Sure you know. 

Friend or foe. 
Will have the hand or toe 

From a bold sojer boy. 



There's not a town we march through 
But the ladies looking arch through 
The window panes will search through 
The ranks to find their joy." 

"VT 7" HILE the old soldiers were rejoiced to be again on the 
march, with prospects of novelty and adventure before 
them, many regretted to bid adieu to the pleasant camps, the 
lovely groves and classic environments of Sulphur Springs. 

Once more our ranks were comparatively well filled by 
conscripts and substitutes ; the men, as a rule, were in the 
enjoyment of excellent health and ready for a vigorous cam- 
paign. 

It was amusing to observe the new men loading themselves 
with baggage when they started. We had done the same 
thing at first, but experience had taught us better. Some had 
their knapsacks filled to overflowing with stuff and a lot piled 
on top, but a few hours tramping in the hot sun began to tell 
on them, and they would unload piecemeal, throwing away 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 213 

one article after another until they weYe like the older men, 
in light marching order. 

We forded the Rappahannock on the i6th, and started for 
Culpepper, where we crossed a small stream at some mills 
about dark, and halted a short distance from the town of 
Culpepper. 

Early next morning word was brought that the enemy was 
advancing in force and we were hurried out along a turnpike 
road, where the brigade was formed in line of battle. The 
boys were very cheerful and appeared anxious for a brush 
with their old friends, the enemy, but after waiting for a 
long time we learned that it was a false alarm and that no 
enemy was in the neighborhood. The division then went into 
cam]) near the Sperryville Turnpike, and remained there for 
a couple of weeks, engaged in picket duty. 

Culpepper is an old place, the Shire town of the county of 
the same name, and although a small place, was a hot bed of 
secession. The citizens generally hated the Union soldier. 
The boys seldom went into the town, as the officers had given 
strict orders against it, and as we now were in Mosby's terri- 
tory, where he raised most of his guerilla troops, it was not 
safe to venture far from camp. 

On October nth it was reported that General Lee was try- 
ing to turn our right flank, and get in our rear, as he had done 
the year before. This made a retrograde movement necessary 
and on the afternoon of that day we moved to the rear and 
recrossed the river, camping about dark near Sulphur Springs. 
We continued our move to the rear, and about 4 o'clock on 
the 13th, encountered the rebel cavalry at Auburn Creek, 
having a lively fight, but the enemy soon fell back and w^e 
moved on, halting at night at the village of Greenwich, con- 
tinuing on to Centerville, "center of uncertainty," on the 
14th. 

At about dusk on the 15th of October, we learned that Gen- 
eral Sickles, who was on a visit to the army, was to pass our 
encampment. The old soldiers of his historic corps, who had 
witnessed his bravery and gallant conduct on many a hard 



214 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

fought field gathered on either side of the road, to welcome the 
Hero of Gettysburg. Cheer upon cheer rent the air as his car- 
riage passed, showing the estimation in wliich the Kearney 
veterans regarded their beloved commander. 

The officers of the old Third Corps, "The Third Corps as 
we understand it," had a short time previously organized an 
association known as the "Third Corps Union," for the pur- 
pose of more firmly cementing the bonds of brotherhood and 
ties of friendship between the veterans of this old fighting 
Corps, and estal)lishing a fund for the benefit of deserving 
officers wounded or disabled in the service, and also for the 
benefit of widows and families of deceased members. The 
"Third Corps Union" also embalmed and sent home the bodies 
of its members killed in action. A beautiful gold badge, 
designed by Colonel, afterwards General de Trobriand, and 
manufactured by Tiffany, the New York jeweler, was adopted. 
The design was a Maltese cross, in the center of which a 
lozenge or diamond, enameled in either red, white, or blue, 
to designate the division of its wearer, was encircled by a 
laurel wreath over which were two crossed swords. The 
motto of the Third Corps Union emblazoned on the badge was 
"Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro I^atria Mori." 

General French, now commanding the corps, and his divis- 
ion, never having participated in any battle or engagement 
with the corps were excluded from membership, which greatly 
irritated "Old Blinky." and called forth from him a general 
order, lauding his pets in language uncalled for and ungram- 
matical, claiming for them a right to be admitted to member- 
ship in the following language: 

"The General now commanding the Corps of Hooker, Sickles, Berry 
and as his near friend, dares to raise the shroud of the chivalric 
Kearney, needs nothing further to convince the brave and intelligent 
soldiers of this Corps that the efforts for preference over the reputa- 
tion of brother soldiers, no matter what State or what Army may 
claim them, when they have proved true and faithful to our Union 
and to our glorious flag, ought and must be admitted to the position 
to which by their bravery they are entitled (!!!)" 

In this respect, as in many others, did the "Old Third 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 215 

Corps" evince the esprit dc corps, which has ever character- 
ized its members in camp, fiehl. and in the walks of civil life. 
This was the first association formed by soldiers of the civil 
war for mutual benefit and self protection, antedating by many 
years the Army and Navy Union, the ?\Iilitary Order of the 
Loyal Legion, the Grand Army of the Republic, the Union 
Veteran Legion, and all similar organizations of veteran sol- 
diers. 

On the 15th of October we moved to Fairfax Station, where 
we remained until the 19th, wdien we moved to Bristoe Station 
and encamped. We again marched through Greenwich on the 
20th, and encamped a couple of miles beyond the town. ( )n 
the 2ist we passed over the ground where General Hays' 
Division (our old Colonel), had a hot fight with the enemy 
a short time before. 

From now until November 7th we were moved along the 
Orange and Alexandria Railroad, which had been destroyed 
by the enemy, and we did our share in rebuilding it. The 
same day we moved to Kelly's Ford, where we had a brisk 
fight with the rebs, wdio tried to prevent us from crossing. 
It w'as in this fight that we lost Captain Timothy M. ■Nlaynard. 
He had gone out as first lieutenant of Company 1], afterwards 
being promoted to captain, and later made brigade inspector. 
During this fight he stooped to give a drink to a wounded 
rebel officer, and while holding his canteen to the lips of the 
dying man, was shot through the bow-els, dying from the 
eft'ects of his wound next day. 

We moved to Brandy Station on the 8th. and encamped on 
the farm of John Miner Botts, where we remained for sev- 
eral weeks. November 26th we crossed the Rajiidan at Jacob's 
Ford, and the following day hurried to relieve the Third Divis- 
ion that was fighting with a part of Ewell's Corjis. At Locust 
Grove we had quite a lively fight with the Johnnies and lost 
several men. 

The Battle of Locust Grove, as it was officially known, and 
in which hundreds of gallant soldiers were killed and wounded, 
v/as another one of the stupendDus blunders of the war. It 



21 G UNDER THE RED PATCH 

was an engagement that should never have occurred. It was 
neither planned nor anticipated by the Commander-in-Chief. 
The new commander of the Third Corps became, from some 
cause or other, never officially investigat,ed, somewhat 
"obfusticated'' during the day and marched his men on an 
unfrequented wood road, where, in a dense growth of locust 
and other forest trees and underbrush, the column unex- 
pectedly encountered the enemy in force and a fierce fight 
ensued, to the astonishment and bewilderment of both sides, 
neither Meade nor Lee expecting an engagement at this point, 
most unsuitable in every respect for a battle ground. It was 
apparent to even the soldiers in the ranks that "some one had 
blundered," and not much diflficulty was experienced among 
the veterans in fixing the responsibility. During the night the 
enemy skedaddled, evidently as much surprised as were our 
officers and men, at the interruption of their march. 

On the 28th we marched all day in a chilling rain and came 
up with the enemy, who held a strong position on ]\Iine Run. 
The next day we laid in a field not far from the enemy ; the 
weather had grown cold and stormy and we were not allowed 
to kindle any fires. 

The enemy was strongly entrenched in our front and orders 
were issued to the skirmish line not to attempt any move 
which would inaugurate a general engagement. The rebels, 
contrary to their usual custom, swarmed upon the ramparts 
of their seemingly impregnable works, which presented a 
formidable array of artillery and glistening bayonets, and 
thronged the field between their rifle pits and skirmish line, 
performing all sorts of derisive antics, and challenging our 
men to "come over and take them." The night was intensel}'' 
cold and the clothing of the men had become thoroughly 
saturated by recent rains and the fording of numerous creeks 
and runs during the march. 

At 3 o'clock on the morning of the 29th, after making cofi'ee 
and partaking of a hastily improvised breakfast, we were 
moved a short distance to the front, forming in line of battle 
in full view of the enemy, who had been busily engaged dur- 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 217 

ing the preceding clay and night in strengthening his works 
and planting new batteries. Camp fires were now perniittetl, 
the smoke from which became almost intolerable. Again, on 
the morning of the 30th, we were aroused at 3 o'clock and 
preparations were made for an assault upon the enemy's 
strongly fortified position, which had been expected for the 
past two days. 

As it became evident that no general engagement would 
occur, the follow'ing humorous notice was circulated through- 
out the division : 

"NOTICE EXTRAORDINARY! 

The mammoth sensational show advertised for this day and date 
has been unavoidably and indefinitely postponed by reason of mis- 
calculation on the part of the managers. 

It is hoped that our kind and indulgent patrons at the North, 
who evince such a deep and patriotic interest in our welfare by 
wondering 'why the army does not move and end this unholy rebel- 
lion,' will kindly overlook the present disappointment and rest 
assured that the management will endeavor to prevent any similar 
occurrence in the future. 

Due notice will be given of the next performance through the 
medium of the great newspapers of the North, in order that all may 
avail themselves of the opportunity to be present and participate 
in the grand finale. G. G. MEADE, 

R. E. LEE, 

Stage Managers and Ring Masters of the Great American Show." 

During the day. artillery and musketry duels were inter- 
mitent, and no attempt was made by either army to advance 
or bring on an engagement. 

The weather continued extremely cold and many of the 
soldiers on picket the previous night were so badly frozen 
as to lose limbs, and many instances were reported where our 
soldiers perished from cold at their posts. 

One historian of the war, who was a member of the Kearney 
division, thus describes the events of this mcp.iorablc engage- 
ment : 

"An assault had boen ordered by General Meade and the neces.sary 
dispositions were carefully made. General Warren on the extreme 



218 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

left with twenty-eight thousand men under his command, was to give 
the signal for the charge. He was to assault, with his troops, the 
enemy's right, and the attack was to be made general from left to 
right on the Union lines, taking cue from him. 

How anxiously the Army of the Potomac watched and waited for 
that signal from Warren! The position of the foe was carefully 
chosen and strongly entrenched, and every soldier knew and realized 
that it was a fearful task to charge across that wide plain over Mine 
Run and upon the fierce array of bristling bayonets that gleamed and 
glittered behind the strong earthworks of the wary foe, yet every 
man was determined to do his duty and face the fiery ordeal. 

General Warren, with a bravery that won for him the love of his 
old soldiers, and every man in the Union Army, declared that he 
would prefer being cashiered by court martial for disobedience of 
orders, to sacrificing so many lives. He dared, on this occasion, to 
disobey the commands of his superior officer preferring, if necessary, 
to incur the penalties of insubordination to the self-consciousness of 
being a wholesale murderer. All honor to him! General Meade, see- 
ing the impracticability of a general assault, wisely abandoned the 
project which would have cost so many lives." 

The artillery firing gradually ceased as if by nnitnal con- 
sent, btit the sharpshooters and skirmishers kept up an inces- 
sant fire during the day. 

On the morning of December ist, the division was moved 
a short distance to the rear and bivouacked in the woods. 
Artillery was all day passing to the rear and long before the 
orders came for a forced march during the night, it became 
evident that once again the grand old Army of the Potomac 
was to retreat. Reminiscences of the Peninsula, Fredericks- 
burg and Chancellorsville came unbidden to the boys in blue, 
but everyone seemed disposed to make the best of an unavoid- 
able "bad fix." 

Early in the evening, leaving our camp and bivouac fires 
burning brightly, we moved stealthily and cautiously to the 
rear. Several hotises and outbuildings along the line of march 
were bttrned to furnish amusement for the "boys." The roads 
over which we passed, had been badly cut up by artillery and 
wagon trains, but providentally they had become frozen, which 
rendered our retreat, at any rale, less disagreeable than it 
might ha\e been wading knee deep through A'irginia mud. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 219 

At 7 o'clock on the moniin<2," of the 2nd of Dccemljcr. we 
recrosscd the Rapidan, having marclied continuously for 
twelve hours and a distance of more than twenty miles with- 
out a halt. Never w^as a more appropriate selection made by 
the l)rig"ade band as we filed into a temporarv camp than 
when it struck up the familiar air : 

"Ain't ^^'e Glad to Get Out of the AMlderness." 
A\'e marched about eig'ht miles on the 2n(l, and at 6 p. m. 
halted for rest and coffee, resuming our march at midnight, 
and on the morning of the 3rd reached our old camps, wdiich 
w^e immediately re-occupied. Weary, footsore, almost worn 
out and disheartened, we hailed with joy the prospect of a 
brief rest in comfortable quarters. 

Among all the reports, official and unofficial, letters from 
correspondents, special dispatches, and personal communica- 
tions concerning the memorable and disastrous Mine Run 
campaign, the following extract from Dunn Brown's letter 
seems to "cover the ground" admirably: 

"December 3, 1863. 
"We have just returned from our little excursion over the Rapidan; 
and as one might expect from such a miserable, barren, wasted, 
desolate and God-forsaken country as we have visited, we have 
returned no whit richer than when we went away. Why, we find 
that not even laurels grow there at this season, and so didn't pluck 
one as far as I can learn. We just dropped over unceremoniously to 
call upon Lee, and found him making so much fuss to receive us, 
overdoing the thing in fact, that we wouldn't stop, but retired in 
disgust. We don't want too much parade made on our account. 
When we found that he was cutting down all the trees in his front 
yard to make an uncommonly high fence and even digging up a por- 
tion of his farm into mounds and ditches and such like ornamental 
works, over our arrival, we wouldn't countenance the thing and came 
away before putting him to still more trouble." 



CHAPTER XII. 

(.From December 3, 1863, to April 26, 1864.) 



Camp at Brandy Station— Third Corps Ball— Grant in Command- 
Reorganization OF Army— Disbandment of Third Corps— Re- 
turn of General Hays— Letter of General Hays to Gov- 
ernor Curtin. 



"There was a sound of revelry by night. 

And Brandy Station had assembled then 
Her beauty and her chivalry, and bright 

The lights shone o'er fair women and brave men; 
A thousand hearts beat happily; and when 

Music arose with its voluptuous swell, 
Soft eyes looked love to eyes which spake again. 

And all went merry as a marriage bell." 

Xh XHAUSTED by the marches and exposttres incidental to 
the brief, tedious and ing'loriotis Mine Rnn campaign, the 
troops retired early on the night of December 3rd, and were jtist 
comfortably nestled in the arms of Morphens when the bugle 
sounding the "general" from brigade headquarters, startled us 
as though a shell had suddenly l)urst in our midst. We speed- 
ily "turned out," packed up. struck tents, loaded tl^e wagons, 
and fell into line. The cause of the sudden call to arms was 
unknown and it was rumored that the enemy had followed 
up our retreating columns and was about to attack us on our 
own ground. At midnight, marching orders were counter- 
manded and the weary soldiers rettirned to "roost" and slept 
soundly until daylight. At noon the following day another 
general alarm was sounded and the lines again formed, btit at 
dusk, orders were received to make otirselves "comfortable for 
the night." 

Appearances now indicated that the army would remain 
for a time at this place and the soldiers proceeded to stockade 
their tents, construct cliimneys, and make preparations for 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 221 

"winter quarters." Routine camp duties were resumed and 
details furnished for picket and fatig'ue purposes, Iniilding 
corduroy roads and repairing- fences for John Minor Botts, 
upon whose plantation we were encamped. It was currently 
reported and generally believed that Botts, a former United 
States Senator from Virg-iuia, was "carr5nng water on both 
shoulders," levying tribute from both armies, professing 
lo3^alty indiscriminately to the Union and Confederate gov- 
ernments, as the armies of each occupied alternately, his 
grounds, receiving payment from both governments for all 
damages to his buildings, fences and wood lots irrespective 
of which side was responsible for the damage. He made fre- 
quent complaints to brigade, division and corps commanders 
of the alleged depredations of the soldiers. The well-seasoned 
split rails of the old-fashioned "stake-and-rider snake fences," 
which in ante-bellum days were so common in the Old Domin- 
ion, made excellent material for camp fires, and miles of these 
fences would disappear in the twinkling of an eye, whenever 
troops of either army were encamped in the neighborhood. 
The ire of Botts was temporarily appeased upon one occasion 
by the promise of one of our generals to issue an order per- 
mitting his men to take only "the top rail." It was not until 
all his fences had disappeared, that the indignant planter 
realized that under a strict interpretation of this order each 
rail in turn became a "top" one. Being forbidden to cut down 
the trees on Botts' property, wood for fuel and building pur- 
poses became ver}^ scarce and many of the men were obliged 
to "tote" it on their shoulders for more than a mile. Accord- 
ingly, in January, 1864, division camp was moved upon prop- 
erty belonging to some other owner, and model camps were 
soon constructed. 

On the I2th of January, orders were received allowing a 
limited munber of leaves of absence to officers and furloughs 
to enlisted men. Many ingenious excuses were formulated 
to secure these privileges as everybody was anxious to visit 
home and "God's country" once more, if only for a brief 
period. 



222 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

On January I3tli, a reunion of the commissioned officers 
was held at General Birney's headquarters, after which occas- 
ion Mr. Bullock, of Philadelphia, presented to the general for 
the soldiers of his division, seven thousand pairs of warm, 
woolen mittens. Colonel White, of Philadelphia, made the 
presentation speech in behalf of Mr. Bullock, and General 
Birney replied in behalf of the officers and men of the "Red 
Patch" division in an eloquent speech in which, after thanking 
the generous donor, he claimed the privilege, when occasion 
required, of "handling the enemy without either gloves or 
mittens." In honor of the patriotic Philadelphian, the division 
camp at this place was designated in general orders as "Camp 
Bullock." 

Songs and speeches followed the presentation and the even- 
ing terminated in a dance. General Birney designated Wed- 
nesday evening of each week as his "reception evening" and a 
general invitation was extended to the field, stafif and line 
officers of the division to attend. 

A number of ladies from the North visited the army while 
at this pleasant camp. On the evening of January 25th the 
officers of the Third Corps held a grand ball at the headquar- 
ters of General Carr, commanding the Third Division of the 
corps. An elegant mansion, formerly occupied by one of the 
F. F. Vs., was utilized for reception and dressing rooms and 
an annex for ball-room, 36x96 feet in dimensions, had been 
constructed from logs and roofed with wagon covers, tent 
flies and tarpaulins. The interior was tastefully and artisti- 
cally decorated with evergreens, flags, bunting, pennants and 
streamers of the national colors, brilliantly illuminated with 
locomotive headlights, lanterns and commissary candles m 
sconces of appropriate designs. Stacks of arms were among 
the decorations not usually found in ball rooms, and the tout 
ensemble was fine as the gay couples moved in the merry 
mazes of the dance. White-gloved sentinels in full uniform, 
with fixed bayonets, were stationed at the doors and 
approaches to the mansion and ball room. 

On Wednesday, February 24th, the division was reviewed 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 22 3 

by Generals French and Birney. Several ladies graced the 
occasion; the Aveathcr was fine, and the troops in excellent 
condition. After the re\'ie\v a reception was held at division 
headquarters, attended by nearly all the field, stafi" and line 
officers. 

During our stay at Camp Bullock, a theatre was erected 
from logs and confiscated lund)er, near division hcadciuarters, 
with a seating capacity for eight hundred persons. It was 
roofed with wagon covers and tarpaulins and boasted a stage 
of good proportions. Some amateur talent was found among 
the soldiers, and a number of well-known professionals were 
secured from Washington, New York and Philadelphia. 
Entertainments were given every evening. 

Over a foot of snow fell on the 22nd of Alarch, and the 
soldiers engaged in mimic warfare, entering into the sport of 
snow-balling with the zest and enthusiasm of children. Sleighs 
and "jumpers" were improvised by the men and coasting was 
indulged in wherever there was even a slight declivity. Lieu- 
tenant General Grant, wdio had been appointed by President 
Lincoln commander-in-chief of the armies of the United States, 
arrived at Culpepper on March 24th, and established head- 
quarters at that place. 

A reorganization of the Army of the Potomac was efl^ected 
and long expected and long dreaded, (though for mt)nths we 
had hoped against hope) the order was received disbanding 
the grand old Third Army Corps. The divisions formerl}^ 
commanded by Kearney and Hooker were permitted to retain 
their badges, the red and white diamond, while constituting 
the Third Division of the Second Corps, the badge of which 
was a trefoil. This was a wise concession on the part of the 
officer ordering the consolidation as when the rumor that the 
Third Corps was to lose its identity as such was circulated, 
the men of this division vehemently asserted that under no 
consideration would they wear any other designating I)adge 
than the red diamond, under which they had marched to vic- 
tory and to defeat, and fought on many an ensanguined field. 
The disappointment at the dissolution of this, the oldest 



224 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

corps in the army, showing the most famous record for gal- 
lantry in the field, was shared alike by commissioned officers 
and enlisted men. To emphasize their strong feeling on this 
subject, some of the soldiers of one regiment in the division 
secured some pickets from a "secesh" fence, which they placed 
around an enclosure which they called a cemetery, in which 
thev erected a board "head stone" upon which was inscribed : 



SACRED 

to ttie 

MEMORY OF THE OLD 




CORPS 

Killed by General Order No. 9 

March, 1864. 



Actuated by 
Personal Malice, Spite and Jealousy 



"HOW SLEEP THE BRAVE." 



The reorganization of the army was effected on March 
25th, 1864, and the First Division of the old Third Corps 
became the Third Division of the Second Corps. General 
Birney retained command of the division, and the following 
regiments constituted the Second Brigade under the command 
of Brigadier General Alexander Hays : 

Fourth. Maine — Colonel Walker. 

Seventeenth Maine — Colonel West. 

Third Michigan — Colonel Pierce. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 225 

Fifth Michigan — Lieutenant Colonel Pulford. 
Sixty-third Pennsylvania — Lieutenant Colonel Banks. 
Sixty-eighth Pennsylvania — Lieutenant Colonel Winslow. 
Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania — Colonel Sides. 
One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania — Colonel Craig. 
First United States Sharpshooters — Major Mattocks, of the Seven- 
teenth Maine, commanding by assignment. 

The return of General Hays to this division was hailed 
with joy. not only by the members of his old regiment, but 
by the soldiers of every regiment in the division, who had 
watched with pride and interest the glories of his achieve- 
ments in another command since his promotion from colonel 
of the Sixty-third. 

On tlie morning of March 21st, the camps of the division 
w'ere changed to conform to the new arrangements, the regi- 
ments moving into quarters vacated by the Third Division of 
the Third Corps which had been transferred entire to the 
Sixth Corps. The camp was sittiated upon low, marshy 
ground and was in an outrageously filthy and unsanitary con- 
dition. Our first orders from General Hays w'ere to police 
the camps and grounds as thoroughly as possible. The num- 
l)er of soldiers' graves in the vicinity of our new^ camp was a 
sad commentary on the sanitary condition of the troops who 
had lived (and died) there before us. 

The men immediately proceeded to police and drain the 
grounds as best they might, and repair the "shebangs" as 
neatly and comfortably as possible; and we thanked our lucky 
stars that the season was rapidly approaching when we could 
exchange the filthy and miserable log shanties for a life in the 
open air. 

On the 9th of April orders were received to send all surplus 
and extra baggage to the rear and for all women, citizens and 
sutlers, to leave the army ])rior to the i6th instant. 

W'ednesday, the 13th, the division was reviewed on the 
grounds in front of the residence of John Minor Botts, near 
Ilrandy Station. Major Generals Meade, Hancock, Humphreys 
and I)irney, Brigadier Generals (jibbon, Mott, Carr, Hays and 
Ward, with several foreign officers of distinction, were the 



226 ' UNDER THE RED PATCH 

reviewing- officers. The troops had long been preparing for 
the inspection and review at which it was expected that the 
new Commander-in-Chief, Lieutenant General Grant, would 
be present. 

Probably a finer spectacle was never witnessed on any field. 
Nearly every soldier in the command wore white gloves ; the 
condition of uniforms, arms and accoutrements was faultless, 
and each man seemed to vie with his comrade in personal 
appearance, military bearing and soldierly deportment. 

The foreign officers expressed much astonishment at such 
conditions in an army in the field in time of actual war. 

On Friday, April 22nd, the entire Second Corps passed in 
review before Lieutenant General Grant. The starry shoulder 
straps were out in goodly numbers from all parts of the army, 
but Grant was the "observed of all observers," this being the 
first opportunity that the veterans of the Army of the Potomac 
had of seeing their new commander. 

On the 26th of April, the division moved out of winter 
quarters and encamped in an open field near Stevensburg, in 
shelter tents, without fire-places or chimneys, — a precaution- 
ary sanitary measure to acclimate the men and prepare them 
for active campaigning in the immediate future. 

Indications of an approaching move were everywdiere appar- 
ent ; but no one could guess in what direction it was to be 
made. Previously it had been customary on the eve of a 
campaign for even the rank and file of the army, either offi- 
cially or unofficially, to know the nature and object of military 
movements in advance, but not an intimation was now given 
of the probable destination of the Army of the Potomac. 
Orders were received that during the coming campaign no 
bugle calls were to be sounded or music by bands or drum 
corps allowed, without special permission from headquarters. 

Upon returning to his old division to assume command of 
this brigade, General Hays addressed a letter to Governor 
Curtin, of Pennsylvania, which may be appropriately incor- 
porated in this place as a portion of the story of the gallant 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 227 

Sixt3'-thircl. and a deserved tribute to one of its most popular 
officers : 

Camp Birney, April 15, 1864. 
His Excellency, Hon. A. G. Curtin, Governor: 

It is long since I have obtruded upon you anything relating to my 
"Old Pet," the Sixty-third Regiment. 

Nearly eighteen months ago, I was forced to leave the boys upon 
the bloody and disastrous field of Bull Run, but not until the regi- 
ment with its comrade, the One Hundred and Fifth, had laid nearly 
one-half of their combined numbers upon the field, exponents of the 
principles which they have always expressed from the commence- 
ment of the war. 

Engaged since then in the exigencies of the service, I have gained 
some credit with the troops of other states. I have led New York, 
New Jersey, Ohio, Indiana, Delaware, Connecticut and West Virginia 
regiments five times into action with most complete success and, 
thank the God of War, once upon my native soil. Your National 
Mausoleum covers the battlefield of the 3rd of July. 

The stern tyrant "Military Necessity," on the 2 6th of March, 
disbanded the division of which I had command for nearly a year. 
I was then assigned to the Second Brigade, Third Division, Second 
Corps, commanded by General Birney. This brought me, like the 
culprit sentenced to be hung, "To the place from whence I came." 
I have therefore a brigade of nine regiments in my command, four 
of which are Pennsylvanians, — the Sixty-third, One Hundred and 
Fifth, Fifty-seventh and Sixty-eighth. The others are from Maine 
and Michigan, with the First Regiment United States Sharpshooters 
(Colonel Berdan), but all are from Kearney's old command on the 
Peninsula. My. greetings on return were most satisfactory, and I 
never have felt so proul of a command. It is acknowledged, with 
its five thousand (nearly), to be unequaled in the army, and is 
expected to "crack brush," between this and Richmond. 

When I received my promotion, I selected as aid-de-camp. Second 
Lieutenant David Shields, of Company F, Sixty-third Pennsylvania. 
During his absence from the regiment, in violation of every sense of 
justice, and the rule which you knov/ I established in the Sixty- 
third, to give promotion by seniority to commir?s'oned officers, unless 
forfeited by demerit, and which was frequently approved by your- 
self, the rule was violated, perhaps on the principle of "out of sight, 
out of mind," and when a vacancy of first lieutenant occurred. Lieu- 
tenant Shields was overlooked and another substituted in his place, 
I am certain by fraudulent representations to you. Thej'e is now a 
vacancy for captaincy or majority in the regiment, and Lieutenant 
Shields asks promotion, as is his right. He has never forfeited but, 
on the contrary, has fortified his claims. 



228 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

Lieutenant Shields has been with the regiment as a private, cor- 
poral, sergeant, second lieutenant in all its battles except Fredericks- 
burg and Chancellorsville, and since with me at Gettysburg, Auburn, 
Bristoe, Mine Run and Morton's Ford, always wearing the ensign of 
the Sixty-third. 

I enclose a letter from Lieutenant Colonel Danks, now command- 
ing the regiment, which is an acknowledgment of the injustice done 
Lieutenant Shields. 

You know that all communications from me regarding the regi- 
ment have been frank and sincere, and I believe you will now receive 
this in the same spirit, upon my assurance. Lieutenant Shields is 
now at home in consequence of a very dangerous wound through 
his left breast and back, received in our engagement with the rebels 
at Morton's Ford. He was also severely wounded in the foot. 

Although he is quite a young man, I know no equal to him for 
cool courage (except Charlie Campbell, and he does not know the 
difference between minnie balls and Brandreth's pills). In addi- 
tion. Shields has exhibited remarkable determination and judgment 
exceeding his years. 

If you will, as I know you are disposed to, do justice to one of the 
bravest, best and most devoted of young Pennsylvanians. I think 
you will not only commission him as captain, but as I would, if I was 
governor of the State, make him major in the present vacancy. By 
so doing you will not only serve God and the country, but gratify 
the numerous friends who are yours most devotedly. He# is the 
son of Thomas Shields, of Sewickley, near Pittsburgh; the grandson 
of David Shields, and the great-grandson of Major Daniel Leet, one 
of the first pioneers of the west. Please refer to the Allegheny 
delegation for further particulars. 

I have no private claims to prefer, but it would give me some 
satisfaction to have your endorsement for major general (before I 
got killed I, but there is no use asking that. 

Yours sincerely, 

(Signed) ALEX HAYS, 

Brig. Gen. Vols. 

P. S. — I will add that our army never was so well prepared, or 
rather will be when we move to meet the rebels. We have faith in 
Sam Grant, and unwavering devotion to the Government, through 
Abraham Lincoln, its prophet. A. H. 

NOTE — General Hays was killed within three weeks after writing the 
above. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

(From May 8, 1864, to May 11, 1864.) 



Battle of the Wilderness -Death of General Hays— Battles 
OF Todd's Tavern and Po Kiver. 



"DULCE ET DECORUM EST PRO PATRIA MORI." 

(Motto of the Third Corps Union) 

"The prayers of fair women, like legions of angels 
Watch over our soldiers by day and by night. 
And the King of all Glory, the Chief of all Armies, 
Shall love them and lead them, who dare to do right. 
As each column sweeps by 
Hear their heart's battle cry, — 
It was Warren's — " 'Tis sweet for one's country to die!" 

A T THE time of his return from the division of the Second 
Corps which he had previously commanded, and assum- 
ing a command in his old and loved division, General Hays and 
staff took possession of the commodious headquarters which 
had been erected for and occupied by one of the Sixth Corps 
brigade commanders. These consisted of five large log cabins 
with canvas roofs, built in a semi-circle, occupied as living 
quarters by the general and members of his stafif, with a num- 
ber of stockaded wall tents utilized for offices in the rear. 
Over the general's tent floated a large pcnant upon which was 
inscribed the words, 

"GOD AND MY COUNTRY." 

The officers of his persotial staff at this time were : 

George P. Corts, Captain and Assistant Adjutant General. 

David Shields, Lieutenant Aid de Camp. 

Ichn S. Sullivan, Lieutenant and Acting Aid de Camp. ■ 

Wythe, Lieutenant and Acting Aid de Camp. 

Homer L. Thayer, Lieutenant and Acting Aid de Camp. 

Seth C. Hunkins, Major, Surgeon-in-Chief. 

Edwin B. Houghton, Captain, Acting Assistant Inspector General. 

Tomlinson, Captain, Commissary of Subsistence. 

Stevenson, Lieutenant, Ambulance Officer. 



230 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

Under the reorganization of the ami}', {he offices of "inspec- 
tor generals" of division and brigade were changed in name 
only, to division and brigade "inspectors," and a general shuffle 
and new deal was made in this corps. For what reason such 
changes were made on the eve of an approaching campaign 
was not apparent, and General Hays was very indignant. 
Captain Houghton, who had long filled the position of A. A. 
I. G., was assigned to the First Brigade of the division com- 
manded by General J. H. Hobart Ward, and Captain Darling, 
of the Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania, was detailed in his place. 
With this one change in its personelle, the general's staiT at 
the Battle of the Wilderness and at the time of his death, were 
those enumerated above. 

Just before midnight on Tuesday, May 3, 1864, the Army of 
the Potomac noiselessly broke camp, and the troops compos- 
ing its different corps, commenced their march on what has 
become known in history as the Wilderness campaign. 

At sunset on that memorable day, the officers of the Signal 
Corps of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, beheld 
from their station on Clark's Mountain, the tents and quar- 
ters of the Union Army of the Potomac, with wagon parks 
and batteries undisturbed and tranquil as though no move- 
ment was anticipated. On Wednesday, May 4th, 

" the sun 

Of morn looked down and saw not one." 

During the quiet hours of a night as dark as Erebus, th^ 
Yankee Army had "folded its tents like the Arabs, and as 
silently stole away." No unusual camp fires were kindled, no 
sound of bugle, fife or drum was he^rd, yet in an almost 
incredibly short period, the entire army with its immense 
trains of ambulances, ammunition, supply and baggage 
wagons and artillery was on the move. 

So suddenly and unexpectedly to us came the orders, that 
there was no possibility of the enemy receiving intelligence of 
the contemplated movement, before from his picket lines and 
signal stations in the morning he beheld the deserted camps 
of the Union forces around Stevensburg, Brandy Station and 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 231 

Culpepper Court House. Every corps, division, brigade and 
regiment had its appointed position and moved punctually 
and quickly at the designated hour. 

Shortl}' after daybreak on May 4th, the division, now a 
portion of the Second Corps, crossed the Rapidan upon a 
pontoon bridge at Ely's Ford, without meeting any resistance 
from the enemy. Halting a half hour for breakfast and coffee, 
the march was resumed along the plank road, and early in the 
afternoon a halt was made on the Chancellorsville battlefield, 
on the very ground occupied by our division during the 
eventful engagement of Sunday, Alay 3rd, just one year before. 
The battlefield still showed signs of the memorable conflict. 
Skeletons and skulls of men and horses, fragments of shell and 
cannon balls with all the incidental debris of a fiercely con- 
tested battle, were thickly strewn upon the ground. Many of 
the bodies of brave Union and Confederate soldiers lay where 
they fighting fell, with knapsacks, clothing and accoutrements 
clinging to their skeleton forms. Some were recognized and 
identified by their former comrades, others afTorded no clue to 
their identity. Every foot of that historic battlefield seemed to 
possess peculiar interest to those who had participated in the 
sanguinary contest of one year before and suggested many a 
sad incident of the disastrous contest, as groups of soldiers 
gathered about some familiar landmark to discuss the battle 
and relate pathetic experiences of that terrible day. Here a 
soldier tells his comrade how and where he received a wound ; 
here fell a tent-mate; there we made a charge; others re-visit 
the narrow road through which we made the midnight assault 
which resulted in the death of the famous rebel general, Stone- 
wall Jackson. Not far from our bivouac fell, mortally 
wounded, Alaine's noble son and hero. General Hiram G. 
Berry. 

On the morning of the 5th we marched at 5 o'clock, passing 
the "Furnaces," memorable as the scene of our engagement 
one year before, when the Third Corps was cut ofT from the 
army by the breaking of the Eleventh Corps. 

On arriving at Todd's Tavern on the Plank Road, lines of 



232 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

battle were formed, skirmishers sent forward, and such infor- 
mation received on developing the enemy's line, as decided the 
commanding general to change the direction of our march, 
and with the brigade we marched by the left flank to near the 
junction of the Plank and r)rock Roads, where the next line of 
battle was formed. 

General Hays was directed with the brigade, to take a posi- 
tion on the extreme right of the Second Corps, connecting 
with the Sixth Corps on its left. 

After repeated attempts to locate the line with which con- 
nection was to be made, had proved futile, the brigade was 
advanced to meet the enemy through the deep woods and 
undergrowth of the appropriately named "Wilderness." Our 
line was very close to that of the enemy, although the under- 
brush between made it almost impossible to see them, so that 
taking deliberate aim was out of the question. A fierce fusi- 
lade was maintained by both armies during the afternoon, and 
a number of prisoners were taken by the division. The enemy 
sullenly fell back before our persistent fire as we advanced, 
leaving their dead and wounded in our lines. 

Night coming on and the supph' of anniiunition failing, no 
further advance was made, but the position was held till fresh 
troops came to our relief, and the brigade fell back to the line 
originally established on the Brock Road. 

It. was early in the engagement that our beloved brigade 
commander and first colonel, Brigadier General Alexander 
Hays, the pride of the Sixty-third, and in fact of the whole 
army, was killed in front of his command, and strangely 
enough, among the soldiers of his original regiment. He, 
accompanied by his stafif, rode down along the line of battle 
and when he came to the Sixty-third, stopped, as he always 
did, to speak a few words of cheer and encouragement to his 
old boys, when a bullet struck him in the head and he fell 
from his horse, dying in about three hours. General Hays 
was killed just where he had said he wanted to die should he 
be killed during the war, "at the head of the Sixty-third 
Regiment." He was a man greath^ beloved by all members of 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 233 

his old regiment, l)oth for his bravery and his marked kind- 
ness to his men. Stern and impetuous, he diffused his energy 
to his men, and it was a loss that was greatly deplored by his 
soldiers and a great loss to the army. 

"Well, let him sleep, the lion-hearted; 

Sleep in a nation's honored grave, 
His name was traced ere he departed 

Amid the records of the brave; 
And if we grieve to tell the story, 

'Tis for ourselves we breathe the sigh, 
Not for the soldier, crowned with glory, 

Who died as heroes love to die." 

Abbott's "History of the Civil War" thus refers to the 
events preceding the lamented death of our gallant chief: 

"General Alexander Hays, who with General Birney was bearing 
the brunt of this tremendous onset, sent back an imploring cry for 
reinforcements. Hancock replied: 'I will send him a brigade in 
twenty minutes. Tell him to hold his ground. He can do it; I 
know him to be a powerful man.' And he did hold the ground; but 
alas! it was his last battle, for soon after, when he had paused for 
an instant in front of the Sixty-third — his own regiment — a rebel 
ball struck him in the head, and in a few hours death claimed for 
his prey the gallant, dashing Alexander Hays, and 'hero-like he 
died.' " 

The death of General Hays is thus described by General 
Walker, in his History of the Second Army Corps: 

"The losses had been heavy. Among the killed of that afternoon 
was General Alexander Hays. At Gettysburg, at Bristoe, at Mine 
Run, at Morton's Ford, this devoted officer rode, with his staff and 
flag behind him, the mark of a thousand riflemen, the admiration 
of two armies, only to fall in a tangled wilderness where scarce a 
regiment could note his person, and derive inspiration from his 
courage and martial enthusiasm. All the peculiar advantages of the 
Army of the Potomac were sacrificed in this jungle-fighting into 
which they were called to engage. Of what use here was the 
tactical skill and perfection of form; of what use here the example 
and the personal influence of a Hays or a Hancock?" 

Night at length closed the scene. I'riday morning the 6th, 
llirney's division, again took the initiative and charged the 
rebel lines, the Sixty-third and One Hundred and Fifth Penn- 
svlvania on the left of the di\'ision front. Owing to the nature 



234 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

of the ground, level and covered with a dense forest growth, 
artillery was used very little. The woods were almost impass- 
able even for individuals, and it was impossible to see the 
entire length of a regimental line. We, however, succeeded 
in driving the enemy as far as the Plank Road and capturing 
many prisoners. Here the advance was temporarily checked. 
At 4 p. m. the enemy renewed the attack but was repulsed 
with severe loss. During our advance in the morning we suc- 
ceeded in driving the enemy about one mile, capturing several 
hastily thrown-up eartliAvorks and lines of defense. Owing to 
the density of the undergrowth and saplings, our lines had 
become more or less thrown into confusion, and after repeated 
struggles our division was forced to retire to the works we had 
hastily thrown up along the Brock Road. General Hancock 
had made the requisite disposition of his troops and orders had 
been issued for the Second Corps to assault the enemy's works 
at 6 o'clock p. m., but he was anticipated by General Long- 
street of the Confederate Army at about 4 o'clock, when his 
command made one of the fiercest chargest of the war. Line 
upon line was hurled successively at us, with a fury that 
attested the desperate nature of the undertaking, and they 
were as repeatedly repulsed. The enemy had not expected to 
find us entrenched at this point and his loss in the assault was 
terrible. Hundreds of rebels were shot down within a yard of 
our breastworks and others, after they had gained a footing on 
the parapet, fell dead among our men. Some even, as at 
Gettysburg, were received on the point of the bayonet as they 
attempted to climb upon the w^orks. 

On the left, a portion of the works constructed of rails and 
logs, occupied by General Mott's Fourth Division, took fire ; 
the flames and smoke rendering them untenable, the troops 
occupying them retired to the second line. A portion of our 
division seeing this and ignorant of the cause, feared that the 
enemy was flanking us and for a moment a portion of our line 
wavered in hesitancy and doubt; a few men fell back in dis- 
order, but most of the troops nobly held the position ; the day 
was saved, and what seemed at one time almost a rout, proved 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 235 

a glorious and decisive victory. Although the enemy fought 
with stubbornness and desperation rarely equalled, the old 
Kearney division stood firm and hurled back the assaulting 
columns with fearful loss of life. The large number of dead 
and wounded on our innnediate front attested the valor and 
discipline of the foe. 

A correspondent writing on the battlefield, said : 

"There is something horrible, yet fascinating, in the mystery 
shrouding the strangest of battles ever fought, — a battle which no 
man could see, and whose progress could only be followed by the 
ear. It is beyond a doubt the first time in the history of war, that 
two great armies have met, each with at least two hundred and 
fifty pieces of artillery, and yet placed in such circumstances as 
to make this vast enginery totally useless. The combat lasted three 
days; but it might have been prolonged a fortnight longer and still 
left the issue undecided." 

The losses of the Sixty-third on the 5th and 6th of May were 
terrible, and much greater than at the Battle of Fair Oaks. 
Major McCullough was killed ; eight officers severely wounded, 
with one hundred and eighty-six enlisted men killed or 
wounded, out of about three hundred and fifty reported in 
action, a casuality list of fifty-six per cerlt. 

After the repulse, a portion of the division made a rccon- 
noisance in our front and secured some three thousand stands 
of arms which had been collected on the battlefield by the 
enemy and abandoned in their hasty retreat. After dark the 
enemy made another vigorous attack on our lines and was 
again handsomely repulsed. Orders were received to follow 
the Sixth Corps as soon as they cleared the road, and the men 
were kept on the "qui vive" all night, expecting every moment 
the orders to move. The progress of the Sixth Corps was very 
slow and it was not until sunrise of Sunday, May 8th, that we 
were fairly on our way. After marching some six miles we 
formed lines of battle and threw up strong lines of entrench- 
ments near Todd's tavern. During the day there was severe 
musketry firing on our right and left, but on our immediate 
front there was no serious engagement, although the skirmish- 
ers were active and we were subjected to severe shelling from 
the enemy's guns. 



236 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

General Hancock notified his division and l^rigade com- 
manders that an attack at sunset was anticipated on our front 
and the men worked industriously at strengthening the rifle- 
pits, which long before dark were sufficiently formidable to 
enable us to successfully repel an assault even though made by 
a much superior force. The anticipated assault was, however, 
not made, and we bivouacked for the night behind our 
entrenchments. Our losses during the day were comparatively 
light, although a portion of our corps met with sufficient resist- 
ance as to dignify the engagement in official reports as the 
Battle of Todd's Tavern. 

To the great delight of the weary and almost exhausted 
soldiers, an order from General Meade was promulgated on 
May 9th, announcing that the army w^ould rest that day from 
offensive operations; but at i o'clock p. m., it having been 
ascertained that the enemy had retired from our front, we 
were at once ordered in pursuit. Accordingly we marched to 
the left, via the Spottsylvania road, until 4 p. m., when, from 
the banks of the River Po, we discerned troops and trains of 
the enemy moving southward on a road across the stream. 
General Birney immediately ordered two batteries into posi- 
tion upon an adjacent commanding eminence, and while we 
formed in line of battle parallel with the river, sent a recon- 
noitering force across while our batteries shelled them vigor- 
ously. Finding only a small force on the opposite bank, which 
had been left as a rear guard, we forded the Po and bivou- 
acked, after a march of about eight miles, between the Rivers 
Po and Ny, where a picket line was established in our front. 
Near this point the four small streams known respectively as 
the rivers Mat, Ta, Po and Ny unite, forming the Mattapony 
River. On the loth of May our picket line was vigorously 
attacked by the enemy and driven in with slight losses in other 
regiments of the brigade, but the Sixty-third was not actively 
' engaged. Ward's brigade of this division was moved to the 
river l)anks in the afternoon to cover the crossing of Barlow's 
division, which was successfully effected. Ward's brigade 
subsequently made a charge on the enemy's works, which they 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 237 

gained and even planted their colors n])on the ramparts, but 
not being' properly supported, and subjected to a terrihc 
enfilading fire, they were compelled to retire with severe losses, 
leaving many of their dead and wounded in the hands of the 
enemy. 

Heavy cannonading and musketry fire on our right during 
the entire day of Wednesday, May nth, proclaimed the fact 
that other portions of the Army of the Potomac were actively 
engaged, but our losses were solely from stray and chance 
shots from the sharpshooters and artillery of the Confederates. 

On May nth, while en route from the Wilderness to Spott- 
sylvania, the Sixty-third and One Hundred and Fifth com- 
bined, the fragment of the two regiments, under Major Levi 
Bird Duft, being reduced to five companies and consolidated 
for field service. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

(From May 11, 1864 to June 1, 1S64.) 



The Battle of Spottsylvania At the Death angle— Battle of 
Fredericksburg Fike- Capture of Confederate Soldiers- 
Charge AT Taylor's Bridge on the North Anna. 



"I will fight it out on this line if it takes all summer." 

GENERAL U. S. GRANT. 

"God of our Fathers! in thy name 

We nail our Standard to the mast — 
To conquer or to die, — we claim 

No greater honor, — while the hlast 
Of civil strife sweeps o'er the land 

We'll strike the foe who dares to mar 
Our lovely ensign, and we'll stand 

A wall of fire to guard each star." 

A FTER the death of General Hays, Colonel Crocker, of the 
Ninety-third New York, by virtue of seniority of rank, 
assumed temporary command of the Second Brigade. 

During the night of May nth, a terrific tempest, accom- 
panied by thtmder, lightning, and severe rain, swept over the 
contending forces as they lay confronting each other behind 
the strong intrenchments. Taking advantage of the darkness 
and storm. General Hancock quietly withdrew his division 
from the works, and leaving our camp fires burning brightly, 
we cautiously fell to the rear. In a drenching rain and heavy 
mist, through muddy fields intersected by deep ditches and 
ravines, through tangled underbrush, we marched noiselessly 
to the left, passing in the rear of the Sixth Corps, and at i 
a. m. of May I2th the two brigades of Birney's division, com- 
manded ty Ward and Crocker, were formed each in double 
lines of battle without a loud word spoken or command given 
above a whisper. Here we were ordered to rest until morning 
without camp fires or noise. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 239 

Ere the first faint beams of the rising sun illumined the 
eastern sky, in the dim uncertain light of an early dawn, the 
lines were silently formed, bayonets fixed and commands given 
to advance without a shout until the works of the enemy were 
reached. The brigades moved forward preserving their align- 
ments as well as the nature of the ground permitted, through 
tangled underl)rush, slashings, and feHed timber, across 
ditches, swamps and morasses, in places nearly waist deep 
with mud and water. At the edge of the woods in our immedi- 
ate front, we encountered a rifle pit occupied by the enemy's 
pickets, approaching which, our men, supposing it to be the 
main line of the Confederates, charged with shouts and cheers 
that might well have struck terror to the hearts of the foe. 
Firing scarcely a shot, the rebel skirmishers fled in terror, 
abandoning the line which we immediately occupied, only to 
discover about two hundred yards in front, most formidable 
works, protected by ditches, abattis, and cheveaux de frize, 
through which had been ingeniously woven long stretches of 
telegraph wire. It was now too late to hesitate. The enemy 
had, however, been apprised of our coming by the shouts and 
cheers of our men when they reached the rifle pits, and poured 
into our ranks volley after volley of musketry, solid shot, 
canister and shells. The Union troops, undaunted still, pushed 
forward and crossing the deep ditches, clambered up the steep 
sides of the embankment by the aid of their bayonets or 
whatever was available for scaling purposes and planted the 
regimental colors on the ramparts. 

The enemy, hastily aroused by the clamor, panic stricken 
and bewildered, threw down their arms and surrendered by 
regiments. They abandoned their cannon, which fell into our 
hands to the number of more than forty, with limbers, cais- 
sons, horses and ammunition. Many of our infantrymen, who 
had been drilled in heavy and light artillery practice during 
their occupancy of forts in the defenses of Washington, turned 
their own guns upon the enemy, in which capacity they 
rendered effective service. Major General Edward Johnson 
and Drigadier General Stuart, of the Confederate army, and 



240 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

many field, staff and line officers were captured at this point. 
I'he number of prisoners who actually surrendered to our 
division that morning is estimated at twelve or fifteen thous- 
and, but as the}' were permitted to pass to the rear unguarded, 
many availed themselves of the opportunity afforded by a strip 
of woods on our left, to pass around our fiank and re-enter 
their own lines again. 

The scene in the works was of a most intensely exciting 
nature and beggars description. Our lines had become some- 
what broken during the charge and while scaling the earth- 
works; and squads and individuals "w'ent in" on their own 
responsibility, regardless of regiments or brigades. Wherever 
a stand of Union colors was seen, the men would gather and 
make a grand rush for a piece of rebel artillery or body of 
l)risoners. At this point Corporal John Kendig, of the Sixty- 
third, captured the flag of the Twenty-fourth North Carolina 
Regiment. Still in adv^ance of the captured works a second 
line of strong intrenchments was discovered and an attempt 
to capture them by assault was made, but our ranks being 
more or less in confusion and the enemy having been strongly 
reinforced, the attempt was abandoned and we fell back to the 
first main line, which we busied ourselves in turning and 
strengthening. The enemy made several desperate but futile 
attempts to recapture this line, but was repulsed at every 
point with severe losses. 

The peculiarity of the rebel yell is worthy of mention, but 
none of the old soldiers who heard it once will ever forget it. 
Instead of the deep-chested manly cheer of the Union men, 
the rebel yell was a falsetto yelp which, when heard at a dis- 
tance, reminded one of a lot of school boys at play. It was a 
peculiar affair for a battle yell, but though we made fun of it 
at first, vv^e grew to respect it before the war was over. The 
yell might sound efi'eminate, but those who uttered it were not 
effeminate by any means. When the Union men charged, it 
was with heads erect, shoulders squared and thrown back, and 
with a firm stride, but when the Johnnies charged, it was with 
a jog trot in a half-bent position, and though they might be 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 241 

met with heavy and blighting volleys, they came on with the 
pertinacity of bulldogs, filling up the gaps and trotting on with 
their never-ceasing "ki-yi" until we found them face to face. 

Heavy rain fell after we had gained the works, and con- 
tinued during the day. About noon we were reinforced by a 
portion of the Sixth Corps, but still remained in the captured 
works. The roar of musketry and artillery was incessant dur- 
ing the entire day and night. 

ATany of the guns wl^ich the Confederates had abandoned, 
remained between the lines at such points as rendered it 
impossible for either side to reach them owing to the sharp 
fire maintained by both armies. During the night the rebels 
made a desperate attempt to secure the guns, but they were 
held at bay. The ground the next morning was thickly strewn 
with his dead and wounded, affording ample proof of the 
desperation of the assault. 

The persistent fire kept up by both armies was so fierce that 
large forest trees were cut down by bullets alone and one of 
these, preserved in the National INIuseum at Washington, is 
still to be seen, in evidence of this statement. 

The morning of the 13th found us still in possession of the 
captured works, the enemy having retired just before da3dight 
to the second line. The scene in our immediate front was one 
of the most fearful and repulsive that it was ever our 
fortune to behold. Words are inadequate to convey any idea 
of the sanguinary spectacle. Parties were engaged nearly all 
day in burying the dead ; but very few wounded were found, 
as those who had at first received only slight wounds, were 
unable to escape and were compelled to remain upon the field 
to be riddled again and again by the bullets of both friend and 
foe. 

A war correspondent writing from the battlefield, thus 
describes this scene of carnage and horror: 

"The angle of the works at which Hancock entered, and for the 
possession of which the savage fight of the day was made, is a per- 
fect Golgotha. In this angle of death, the dead and wounded rebels 
lie this morning literally in piles; men in the agonies of death, 
groaning beneath the dead bodies of their comrades. On an area 



242 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

of a few acres in the rear of their first position, lie not less than 
a thousand rebel corpses; many literally torn to shreds by hundreds 
of balls, and several with bayonet thrusts through and through 
their bodies, pierced on the very margin of the parapet which they 
were determined to retake or perish in the attempt. The one 
exclamation of every man who looks at the spectacle is, 'G-od forbid 
that I should ever gaze upon such a sight again.' " 

On the 14th the division was not actively engaged, but 
remained in the works, subjected to the constant fire of the 
enemy. 

On May 15th the division was moved into the advanced 
line of earthworks, relieving a portion of the Third Division, 
shortly after which we marched again to the left and were 
massed in the rear of Burnside's Corps until ordered to occupy 
and hold the line between the Landon house and the Ny 
River, connecting with Btirnside's right. Skirmishing con- 
tinued incessantly on our front during the i6th and 17th, 
varied by occasional sorties and demonstrations made at inter- 
vals by each army to develop the position of their opponents 
and harass the weary soldiers. 

On the morning of May i8th, an attack on the enemy's 
advanced position was made by the First and Second Divisions 
of the Second Corps, our division, the Third, being held nomin- 
ally in reserve. We occtipied a portion of the line of works 
and though under fire of both artillery and musketr}^, the 
losses in the Sixty-third were comparatively light during the 
day. 

Birney's division having been constantly at the front since 
the commencement of the campaign. May 3rd, was relieved 
at midnight of the i8th, and at 2 o'clock on the next morning, 
marched once more to the left and rear where it was massed 
near the Anderson house and ordered to encamp. All hailed 
with joy the prospect of a da}^ of rest, undisturbed by the 
music of whistling bullets, and we accordingly pitched our 
"shelters" in a beautiful clover field where listening to the 
sullen roar of distant cannon from the front, we devoted the 
remainder of the day to sleep until 5 p. m., when orders were 
received to "fall in" at once, in light marching order (without 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 243 

knapsacks, haversacks or blankets) and leave onr tents stand- 
ing. Heavy and rapid firing had been heard during the after- 
noon on our right. 

Our lines were rapidly formed and at a "double quick" we 
marched in the direction of the Fredericksburg Pike, where 
the enemy, (Ewell's Corps), had attacked our supply trains 
and made a desperate efifort to turn our flank and get in our 
rear. Arriving upon the scene of action, we found that the 
First Maine and the First Massachusetts heavy artillery regi- 
ments, numbering nearly two thousand men each, fresh from 
the defenses of Washington, had been engaged with severe 
losses. Although they had been in service for nearly two 
years, this was their "baptism of fire," and first experience iit 
the department where bullets whistled. They behaved with 
great gallantry and held the enemy at bay until the arrival 
of our division, which, owing to the innumerable occasions 
upon wdiich it had made forced marches and hurried to the 
front in emergencies, had become famous throughout the army 
by the appropriate pseudonyms of "Birney's Flying Infantry" 
and "Birney's Foot Calvary." Immediately upon arriving, our 
division charged the woods, advancing be3'ond and relieving 
the lines of the "Heavies," and driving the foe l)efore us. 

The ground was literally covered with dead and wounded 
of the heavy artillery regiments. Not having had previous 
experience in campaigning and actual fighting, the ofificers and 
men of these regiments neglected the precautions which 
veterans take, and instead of lying down and availing them- 
themselves of natural protections, had chosen their position on 
the crest of a hillock, where they stood erect, as on dress 
parade or battalion drill, thus furnishing admirable targets for 
the Confederates who fought, as usual, in the woods and from 
l)ehind trees, fences and boulders. We held this position, 
exposed to the fire of the enemy, until night, when a picket 
line was established in our front. Earthworks were hastily 
thrown up for protection, the men using bayonets, knives, 
forks and tin plates for the purpose. At daylight the whole 
line avdanced, and in connection with the First Brigade, we 



244 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

captured a number of prisoners, the main body of Confederates 
having- retired and re-crossed the river. 

Although it was after midnight when we were ordered to 
"sleep behind our stacked arms and hold ourselves in readiness 
for any emergency," *ve were roused at 3 a. m. and again 
moved to the front. In the uncertain light of gray dawn we 
slowly and cautiously advanced but contrary to our expecta- 
tions, met with no resistance from the enemy, who we found 
had retreated during the night. 

Many stragglers from the rebel ranks were taken prisoners, 
from whom we learned that Ewell, with his corps, had made a 
forced march on the preceding day in order to take us 
ifnawares and capture our wagon trains and cattle corrals, and 
that his soldiers were footsore, tired, and well night exhausted. 
The woods through which we advanced were filled with worn- 
out rebels, who had dropped out of the retreating ranks when 
orders were received for another night march. Without firing 
a shot we ''annexed" between six and seven hundred dis- 
gruntled, unwilling prisoners. As it was impossible in the 
dark to distinguish by their uniforms the "Johnnie Rebs" 
from our own men, many amusing incidents and dialogues 
occurred when our skirmishers encountered stray individuals 
or squads while wandering through the forests. Numerous 
"Johnnies," supposing our skirmish lines to be the rear guard 
of their own commands, fell into line and marched along with 
us until they discovered their error, when they surrendered 
with good grace. 

One well educated non-commissioned officer of a regiment 
belonging to General Johnson's Corps, which w^e had "gob- 
bled" entire at Spottsylvania of the 12th of May, was among 
the prisoners taken. He was just returning from a furlough, 
and being unable to find his own command, had been ordered 
to report to another regiment in Ewell's Corps. When cap- 
tured he expressed his joy at being able to proceed to Wash- 
ington as the wording of his furlough required him, at its 
expiration, to "report to his regiment at Orange Court House, 
or wherever it may then be, or be considered a deserter." His 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 245 

regiment was now safely within the Union lines and prisoners 
of war. ^lany of the rebels captured, when escorted to the 
rear, sainted the old l^ag by taking off their hats and signif3'ing 
their delight at being once more in "God's Country" and under 
the protection of the Stars and Stripes. 

We returned to camp before noon and rested until midnight 
of the 20th, when, after a short march, we bivouacked at 
Guinney's Station, near the house in which, one year before, 
the rebel general, Stonewall Jackson, died from wounds 
received in the Battle of Chancellorsville, in May, 1863. 

Continuing our march in the morning, w^e passed through 
Bowling Green, a village of some size and pretentions l^efore 
the war. All the stores were closed and nearly empty of 
merchandise, and the residences in a very shabby and dilapi- 
dated condition. The men proceeded to "open the stores" 
without waiting for the keys and carried on a brisk business 
on their own accounts without consulting the proprietor or 
credit man, as long as the stocks held out. The presumption 
is that the merchants on their return, made sundry entries in 
the profit and loss accounts of their ledgers. They certainly 
had no occasion to use their cash books. The owner of a 
drug store was found and on account of some objectionable 
"chin music" on his part, accompanied by uncomplimentary 
allusions to the United States Government and its defenders, 
his pill emporium was completely "cleaned out" by the soldiers 
although little of the merchandise Avas of the class needed by 
Union tourists. The jail was broken open and two prisoners, 
a gentleman of color and a representatixe of the ])oor white 
trash element, liberated on their individual ]:)aroles and leg 
bail, without even taking the oath of allegiance. 

The heat and dust were very oppressive and the day's march 
severe and fatiguing. Regimental and brigade bands favored 
the citizens with the first strains of Union music they had 
.listened to for many months, as we marched through the vil- 
lage streets. Our march was continued through the pretty 
little village of Alilford, near which place we ])ivouacked after 
a ma"ch of nearly twenty miles. 



246 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

On the following morning we advanced our lines and threw 
up a strong line of intrenchments in anticipation of an attack. 
On the 23rd we marched at daylight, and shortly after noon 
effected a junction with the Fifth Corps, near the North Anna 
River. The enemy was found in considerable force at the vari- 
ous fords and strongly intrenched on the southern side of Tay- 
lor's bridge. A portion of our division was immediately ordered 
up, and to Colonel T. W. Egan, of the Fortieth New York, 
commanding the brigade, was assigned the duty of driving 
the enemy across the river and securing possession of the 
bridge. The line of the Second Brigade, commanded by Col- 
onel Byron R. Pierce, of the Third Michigan Regiment, w^as 
formed in a belt of woods a short distance from the river. The 
enemy occupied the crest of a hill in our front, sloping down 
to the river banks. At the word of command from Colonel 
Pierce, the brigade moved forward in splendid order, charging 
the enemy's line, which broke and ran. A rebel battery across 
the stream swept the field across which we advanced but our 
lines, unwavering, went gallantly forward in the face of a 
murderous fire, until the river banks were reached and we 
found the stream unfordable. This position we held until 
dark, keeping" up a continuous fire upon the enemy, until our 
ammunition w-as exhausted. During the charge Captain 
Daniel Dougherty, a brave pfificer of the Sixty-third, was 
mortally and Captain Mcintosh was slightly wounded. 

In Dana & Wilson's "Life of General Grant," this brief 
illusion is made to the brilliant engagement at the North 
Anna : 

"Hancock struck the river at the County Bridge, a mile west of 
the railroad crossing; but the rebels had constructed a tete de pont 
covering this bridge, overlooked by a heavy line of intrenchments 
on the south side of the river, and it was necessary to capture these 
works in order to effect a passage. Birney's division of the Second 
Corps was charged with this perilous duty, and about an hour after 
sundown, under cover of a heavy fire from the corps of artillery 
placed in position under Colonel Tidball, the assault was made, the 
brigades of Egan and Pierce bearing the brunt of the fight. Advanc- 
ing at double quick, those gallant veterans carried the bridge head 
in the handsomest manner and capturing some thirty or forty prison- 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 2 47 

ers, who were left in the trench by their flying companions. This 
affair, which was witnessed by Generals Hancock, Birney and other 
general officers, was pronounced by them one of the most brilliant in 
the campaign." 

After falling back, the regiments of the brigade threw up 
a line of works which they occtipied until noon of the follow- 
ing day when they moved by the left flank, in rear of our 
advanced line, and crossing the river, constrticted another line 
of works to the left of the mansion of Dr. Fox, a retired Bap- 
tist preacher, who was the possesor of a finely furnished home 
and valuable library, oil paintings, chemical laboratory, ele- 
gant furniture and works of art. The house was completely 
dismantled, and a fine piano, rare voltimes, family portraits, 
sofas and upholstered chairs, were distributed through the 
works. After dusk we were moved to an advanced position 
filling a gap between the right of the First Division and the 
left of the Fourth Brigade of the Second Division. Here the 
troops were busil}- engaged in the construction of another line 
of works tmtil daybreak. Several minor changes of position 
took place the following day, and at midnight we abandoned 
the line, recrossing to the north side of the river, where, by 
order of the brigade commander. Major Levi Bird Dufif, of the 
division staff, left the Sixty-third under Captain !Moorhead to 
guard the bridge until the pickets and rear guard were safely 
over, and then destroy it. 

This was successfully accomplished, and Captain Moorhead 
with his command, rejoined the brigade and with it marched 
in the direction of Pamunky River, about three miles, resum- 
ing the march the next morning, bivouacking about midnight 
on the north side of the Pamunky. 

Early on the morning of May 25th, we crossed the Pamunky 
on a pontoon bridge at Nelson's F"ord. and after a march of 
about ten miles formed line of battle and threw tip entrench- 
ments near the residence of Mr. Elliot, a very intelligent gen- 
tleman who, referring to the privations caused by the war, 
furnished our officers the following "price current" which he 
had recently paid (in Confederate money) for the articles 
enumerated : 



248 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

Flour, per barrel $400.00 

Butter, per pound 30.00 

Ham, per pound 1.5.00 

Shoes, per pair 60.00 

Boots, per pair 250.00 

Hogs, each 200.00 

Sunday, May 29th, was a beautiful day, and in the morning 
a Sabbath silence reigned in our front. Barlow's division 
made a reconnoissance and our division w^as under arms in 
readiness to move to their support should they encounter the 
enemy in force. At 4 p. m. marching orders were counter- 
manded and it was announced that we would remain for the 
night but we were, however, soon again en route, marching 
in the direction of Mechanicsville Pike. After moving about 
four miles we bivouacked in the vicinity of Tolopotomy Creek. 
On the following morning we threw up a strong line of works 
under a severe shelling from the enemy's batteries and a 
destructive fire from the sharpshooters at short range, losing a 
number of officers and men. 

At dark our artillery and a cohorn mortar batter}^ wdiich 
had been placed in position in our new line, opened a brisk 
fire upon the enemy's works across Tolopotomy Creek. This 
was the first occasion during the present campaign that 
"cohorns" had been brought into requisition, and the pre- 
cision with which they dropped their shells behind breast- 
works impervious to direct cannon shots, had a most demor- 
alizing effect u])on the troops against whom they were 
directed, causing them to "get up and dust" with surprising 
alacrity. Picket firing continued in our front all the evening 
and at intervals during the night. 

Egan's brigade of our division made a vigorous charge and 
assault upon the enemy's entrenched position on the morning 
of May 31st, capturing the works and many prisoners of 
Breckenridge's command which had just returned from the 
Shenandoah valley, where they had a severe engagement with 
General Sigel, resulting in his defeat. Our brigade moved to 
the front, relieving Egan's brigade in the captured works. 
After dark we returned to the north banks of the Tolopotomy 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 249 

where we remained until midnight of June ist, at which time 
we took up the line of march in the direction of Cold Harbor. 
The historian of the One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania 
Regiment thus graphically described the march : 

"The night was dark and stormy, the rain fell in torrents, the 
thunder echoed and reverUerated louder than artillery, bright flashes 
of lightning lit up the scene, the wind swept in fierce gusts, and the 
trees bent and snapped in the face of the advancing forces, while 
the Chickahominy was swelled into a raging flood. The contem- 
plated attack which had been fixed for that evening had to be 
postponed and the army, wet and tired, bivouacked for the night 
on the damp ground, while the heavens were still open and the 
floods descended upon them." 



CHAPTER XV. 

(From June 1, 1864, to July 4, 1864.) 



Battle of Cold Harbor— March to Petersburg— In the Trenches. 



"Flag of the brave! thy folds shall fly, 
^ The sign of hope and triumph high! 

When speaks the signal trumpet tone. 
And the long line comes gleaming on, 
Ere yet the life blood, warm and wet, 
Has dimmed the glistening bayonet, 
Each soldiers' eye shall brightly turn 
To where thy sky-born glories burn, 
And as his springing steps advance, 
Catch war and vengeance from the glance." 

'T'HE morning of Thursday, June 2, 1864, dawned dark and 
gloomy upon the embattled hosts of two armies at Cold 
Harbor. At daylight the First Division of the Second Corps 
charged the enemy's works and established a new line, while 
Birney's division occupied the line vacated by them. In the 
afternoon we moved to the right of the Eighteenth Corps, 
passing on our route the old homestead of Stephen Hopkins, 
of revolutionary fame. A neat white cottage occupied by 
descendants of the signer of the Declaration of Independence, 
was standing near the site of the old Hopkins mansion which 
was now in ruins, only a pile of brick and stone remaining to 
mark the spot where the old patriot lived and died. 

During the day we marched about two miles and at night 
were assigned position on the extreme left of the army. Early 
on the morning of the 3rd we moved with the brigade to the 
right, where we were held in reserve, supporting the First 
Division. Soon after, we again moved to the right, filling a 
gap between the Fifth and Eighteenth Corps, which had been 
occupied only by a line of skirmishers. 

During the afternoon of June 3rd, the enemy made several 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 251 

vigorous assaults upon our lines, and were as repeatedly 
repulsed with severe losses. Headley's "Great Rebellion" 
thus refers to the engagement at Cold Harbor : 

"Grant was now determined to give battle on the next day; and 
Hancock's corps, which, after the withdrawal of Warren's, held the 
extreme right, was brought over to the extreme left during the night. 
He had to fight his way into position, so that he was not ready to 
advance until afternoon. The attack was ordered to commence at 5 
o'clock, but just before the hour arrived, the heavens grew black as 
night, and a heavy thunder cloud pushed its way across the sky. 
Its dark bosom was incessantly riven by lightning and the thunder 
boomed louder than the artillery, above the waiting armies. The 
wind swept by in fierce gusts, bending the trees like wands in its 
path, and everything betokened a wild and stormy evening. Soon 
the burdened clouds opened, and the rain came down in a perfect 
deluge, turning the fields into standing pools and swelling the 
Chickahominy into a turbid flood. 

The order for the attack had, therefore, to be countermanded and 
the drenched army went into bivouac for the night. A new order 
was issued, fixing the attack at 4:30 in the morning. 

Hancock's corps was on the extreme left, Wright's next, the Eigh- 
teenth, under Smith, next, then came Warren, and last, Burnside 
holding the extreme right. The Rebel Army was drawn up in 
front of the Chickahominy, two lines deep, with a heavy skirmish 
line well advanced. It was irregular, to conform to the ridges, woods 
and swamps over or across which it extended. Between the two 
armies lay a low, swampy region, made worse by the thunder storm 
of the night before — and this was to be the battlefield. 

The morning was dark and gloomy, and a gentle rain was falling, 
as the firm-set lines moved out from behind their breastworks and 
began to advance over the field. The skirmish line, pushing rapidly 
forward, soon encountered that of the enemy, and the sharp, irregu- 
lar volleys awoke the morning echoes. The next minute the artillery 
opened, and from right to left for miles along the Chickahominy, the 
deep reverberations rolled like heaven's own thunder of the night 
before. 

The advance of that mighty host, as the long lines of glittering 
steel rose and fell along the uneven ground, was a magnificent spec- 
tacle. Hancock, on the left, first came up to the enemy's works. 
Barlow, with four brigades, formed the extreme left; and this gal- 
lant commander carried his troops for half a mile, through woods 
and open spaces, under a heavy fire, square up to the rebel works. 

These were the immortal brigades which made the gallant dash 



252 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

into the works at Spottsylvania, and here, enacting again their 
heroic deeds, they sprang with a shout over the enemy's parapets, 
capturing the guns, colors, and several hundred prisoners. This was 
the key to the rebel position, and could this gallant charge have 
been properly supported, Lee's army, in all probability, would have 
been driven over the Chickahominy. The latter was aware of this, 
and had guarded well against such a catastrophe, for Barlow had not 
yet turned the captured guns upon him when a heavy force under 
Hill was seen advancing to retrieve the disaster. 

•':? * iii , -^ 

The whole of Hancock's corps advanced simultaneously with Bar- 
low's division and came, like it, upon the rebel works and made des- 
perate efforts to carry them. Deafening yells, rising from behind the 
hostile intrenchments, answered with shouts all along our lines — 
incessant explosions of artillery and crashing volleys of musketry 
— the long, low, sulphurous cloud hanging iruthe damp air above the 
combatants — the never-ceasing stream of wounded, borne back to 
the rear, made the summer morning one of gloom and terror to the 
beholder. 

* * * * 

The brunt of the battle was borne by Hancock's corps, which also 
gained most of the advantage that was even temporarily secured. 

The Army of the Potomac had again flung itself against the rebel 
works in vain, and rent and bleeding, fell back, but not to its orig- 
inal position. A lull came in the battle, and the anxious question 
asked by all was: "Will the assault be renewed?" Grant and Meade 
stood on a naked eminence in consultation; the latter, nervous and 
emphatic in his manner, the former cool and imperturbable as ever, 
looking gravely, sternly, on the embattled hosts and ensanguined 
field. 

Intervening woods hid much of the country and, apparently wish- 
ing to ascertain for himself the true condition of things, he called 
for his horse and mounting it, rode down to Hancock's headquarters 
and after consulting with him, went over to Wright's. All this 
time occasional firing was heard along the lines, for they were still 
in close proximity, especially on the left — Barlow being on one side 
of a ridge and the enemy on the other, not more than fifty yards 
apart. 

* :!: ij: * 

The two armies remained in this relative position all day, neither 
making any decided demonstration. But just after dark, the rebels 
came down on Hancock's corps in one of their tremendous charges. 
Our brave troops, however, had moved too often on formidable works 
without flinching to be driven from behind their own intrenchments 
by any force; and as the dark mass became well defined in the grey 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 253 

gloom, they poured in volley after volley of musketry with a cool- 
ness and precision that made the hostile lines melt away as though 
swallowed up by the night, while the deadly batteries tore huge 
gaps through the dim formations. 

The assault, however, was a most gallant one and the great open- 
ings made in the ranks were closed up with steadiness and a noble 
devotion, and they pressed forward until they reached the breast- 
works and poured their fire over the very pai-apets — some even get- 
ting upon them, but only to fall dead before the terrible fire that 
met them. Their shouts of defiance rung over the din of battle, and 
the order "FORWARD," rose steady and strong " through the 
darkness, but all their efforts to carry the entrenchments were 
in vain. Our troops had been compelled again and again to attack 
the enemy behind their breastworks, and had been repulsed, and 
now they had their revenge and hurled the assailants back with 
terrible slaughter. 

Thus ended the Battle of Cold Harbor or, as it has sometimes been 
called, of Chickahominy. Grant had failed here, as at Spottsylvania, 
and it was plain he could not force the Chickahominy. It then 
became a serious question what the next move on that mighty chess- 
board would be. 

The aspect of affairs had been materially changed since McClellan, 
two years before, attempted to move on Richmond from the same 
point. He found no trouble in crossing the Chickahominy indeed, 
had but little difficulty in advancing two miles beyond it. But that 
campaign taught the rebels wisdom, and now strong works dotted 
the country in every direction, and for five miles out of Richmond 
every available point was fortified." 

In the afternoon, much to the joy and relief of the weary 
soldiers, the following order was promulgated: 

"Headquarters Army of the Potomac, 
Orders: June 3, 1864, 1:30 P. M. 

For the present all further offensive operations will be suspended. 
Corps commanders will advance, entrench the positions they now 
hold, including their advanced positions; and will cause reconnois- 
ance to be made with a view to move against the enemy's works by 
regular approaches from the advanced positions now held. 

Should the enemy assume the offensive and succeed in breaking 
through any point of our line, the corps commander nearest to the 
assaulted point will throw his whole force upon the enemy's column 
making the attack. 

By command of 
(Signed) S. WILLIAMS, MAJOR GENERAL MEADE. 

Assistant Adjutant General." 



254 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

It had now become evident that Richmond could not be 
taken in this direction, and Grant therefore determined to 
keep on to the James. The army, availing itself of Meade's 
order, remained in the works around Cold Harbor until the 
night of June 12th, and although the pickets on our immediate 
front, by tacit understanding among the men, fired only 
occasionally, we were considerably annoyed and lost a num- 
ber of men from the fire of rebel sharpshooters posted behind 
their works or perched in trees in rear of their picket line 
proper. 

The battle flags of our division and brigade headquarters, 
emblazoned conspicuously by the red diamond, had become 
familiar to the enemy and during the entire campaign, unless 
actively engaged, the pickets when in our front would refrain 
from firing when on posts. It was a common occurrence 
after a new picket line was established, to hear from the 
enemy's line a salutation like this, "Hello ! you Kearney boys ! 
Glad to see you 'uns again. If you 'uns don't fire, we 'uns 
won't, unless we get orders, and then we 'uns fire over you 
'uns heads as a warning if you 'uns will do the same." Thus a 
truce would be unofficially declared between the enlisted men 
and it would l)e religiously maintained, the pickets sticking 
their bayonets in the ground, coming out of their rifle pits and 
walking around, exchanging greetings and badinage with each 
other, in the most friendly spirit and occasionally meeting 
between the lines to trade cofifee and sugar, for tobacco, or to 
exchange New York and Washington papers for the latest 
news from Richmond. 

To withdraw such a vast army from the immediate front of 
the enemy was a dangerous and extremely hazardous under- 
taking, for it was hardly expected that it could be done tniob- 
served by him and he would not fail in case of discovering, to 
attack both in flank and rear. 

?Iitherto on this campaign, all of Grant's movements had 
been by his left flank and made in the same way. This policy 
was now radically changed and the commander-in-chief deter- 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 255 

mined to swing loose from the enemy's lines and l)y a rapid 
march of some fifty miles or more, attach Richmond direct. 

About 9 o'clock p. m. of Sunday, June 12th, we moved cau- 
iiously and noiselessly to the left and rear. It was bright 
moonlight and the utmost caution was necessary that the 
enemy might not discover our intentions. VVe marched via 
Barker's Mills and with very few and brief halts for rest, 
continued on our way until daybreak of Monday, the 13th, 
when we halted for breakfast at St. James' church. Here we 
remained for about two hours, when the march was resumed, 
our division crossing the railroad at Despatch Station. At 
noon we reached the famed Chickahominy, which we crossed 
on pontoons at a point known as Long Bridge. The bridge 
itself had been destroyed by the enemy. Our route now lay 
via St. ]\Iary's church and Charles City Cross Roads (historic 
ground) in the direction of Charles City Court House. We 
arrived at ^^ ilcox Landing, on the James River, at 9 o'clock 
p. m. atfer a tedious march of about twenty-five miles. At 
II o'clock we formed in line of battle and received orders to 
throw up a line of intrenchments. Soon after this order was 
countermanded and we bivouacked for the night. During the 
day we passed a number of fine residences, all of which had 
been abandoned by the owners and families. 

The division crossed the James at Wilcox Landing on trans- 
ports on the morning of Tuesday, June 14th, and massed in a 
fine field of clover until dark, when we advanced a short dis- 
tance and bivouacked in line of battle. On the following day, 
having been delayed by an endeavor to procure rations, we 
marched in the direction of City Point, our new base of sup- 
plies. As heavy firing, indicating a severe engagement, was 
heard during the day, we deviated from our original course 
and marched in the direction of the conflict. As we neared 
the "Cockade City," as Petersburg was popularly known in 
the South, we encountered a mmiber of wounded colored sol- 
diers belonging to General "Ualdy" Smith's Eighteenth Corps, 
which had been engaged during the day and had driven the 
enemy some distance into his inner entrenchments in front of 



256 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

Petersburg, capturing sixteen pieces of artillery, many prison- 
ers and a formidable line of earthworks constituting the outer 
defenses of the city. At 9 o'clock p. m., after a march of about 
twenty miles, we formed a connection with Smith's Corps and' 
remained behind the works captured by him from the enemy. 
Referring to the situa^on at this point General Grant, in his 
official report, says : 

"Between the lines thus captured and Petersburg there were no 
other works, and there was no evidence that the enemy had rein- 
forced Petersburg with a single brigade from any source. The night 
was clear — the moon shining brightly — ^and favorable to further 
operations. 

General Hancock, with two divisions of the Second Corps, reached 
General Smith just after dark and offered the services of these 
troops as he (Smith) might wish, waiving rank to the named com- 
mander who, he naturally supposed, knew best the position of affairs 
and what to do with the troops, and pushing at once into Peters- 
burg he requested General Hancock to relieve a part of his line on 
the captured works which was done before midnight." 

We remained in the works near the Hare house, being con- 
stantly under severe shelling, musketry fire and sharpshooting 
from the inner works of the Confederates until the morning of 
June i8th, when we were relieved b}^ some colored troops and 
moved to a position in front of the house, on a knoll overlook- 
ing a battlefield where a Union regiment had been charged 
the day before and almost cut to pieces, leaving the ground 
strewn with dead and dying men. The rebels refused to 
recognize the flag of truce, and the poor dying, wounded men, 
lay on the field without aid. 

A day that will be long remembered by the Sixty-third was 
June 2 1st, when we were hurried to the front at rapid pace, 
toward the Weldon Railroad, and halted on the edge of the 
woods. Immediately in our front was a wide open field, and 
on the other side another dense woods. History tells us J;hat 
a gap had been left between Birney's and Barlow's divisions, 
which were on our left. This gap had been discovered by the 
sharp-sighted rebel officers, who prepared to take advantage 
of it. Our pickets, who were some distance in our front, kept 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 257 

sending back reports that heavy clouds of dust could be seen 
arising beyond the woods -in their front, which denoted the 
movement of heavy bodies of the enemy who were advancing 
toward our left. The boys of the Sixty-third felt that there 
was something important about to take place, but as yet had 
no idea what it could be. An aide came riding along our line, 
and a captain of our regiment called to him and asked what 
was the outlook. The aide, who was a German, shrugged his 
shoulders and replied : 'T do shmell von tam pig rat," and 
clapping spurs to his horse, skedadddled out of there very 
rapidly. 

The gap between the divisions was the rebels' objective 
point and the clouds of dust noted earlier, were caused by 
their pushing their men into it in order to reach our rear. In 
a short time all uncertainty was ended for here they came on 
our left flank with their infernal "Ki-yi," and with a fierce 
onslaught they struck Company B, rolling up the left of the 
regiment until Company B was mixed up with the color com- 
pany in the center, while the right was compelled to give way. 
It was a complete surprise, as our men were unprepared for 
them, never dreaming that they could get on our flank. We 
were expecting a front attack, of which we would be notified 
by our pickets. Our regiment had stacked arms, and the first 
they knew the rebel hordes were in our midst. Then it was 
every man for himself. We retired, not standing on the order 
of our going, but leaving at once. Down the road that we had 
marched up that morning we went, eager for solitude. 

Along the right-hand side of the road Avas a long pile of 
cordvvood, piled to the height of four or five feet, for several 
hundred yards. On the left-hand side was a run with banks 
about three feet high. Company A and several other com- 
panies had branched off toward the right and got off safely, 
with slight loss, but Company B had to run the gauntlet. As 
Captain Nesbit and a comrade were making lightning express 
time down the road, and were passing the long line of cord- 
wood, they were disagreeably surprised to see a line of slouched 
hats suddenly rise above it from the other side, and a shout 



2 58 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

of "Halt!" you Yankee ," informed them who 

were their neighbors. Without stopping an instant to think, 
Nesbit leaped into the run on his left, while his companion 
hesitated for a moment. That hesitation was fatal, and the 
next instant he fell, perforated with bullets, while Xesbit 
escaped, the balls passing over his head. This volley, and the 
yells of the rebs, did not induce the captain to linger and 
to this day the old vet's face kindles with pride as he remem- 
bers the fast running he did down that run until he finally 
escaped into the woods. He actually believes he outran the 
musket balls. 

The report had been circulated that Captain Nesbit had been 
killed, as many thought the unfortunate man that had been 
shot was the captain, not seeing him during his desperate run, 
but that night when he walked into camp and began to howl 
for something to eat, everybody was rejoiced. 

The regiment rallied some distance in the rear, as the rebels, 
for some unaccountable reason, did not follow up their gains. 

We lay until the evening of the 22nd, where we had rallied 
and then advanced and made a charge, routing the rebels and 
regaining the field we had lost the day before. In this charge 
brave young Joseph Hoopes, of Company B, was killed, with 
several others sharing the same fate. Hoopes was a very 
popular young fellow among his comrades, fearless as a lion. 
During his entire time of service he kept a daily record of the 
doings of the regiment, and his last letter home was found on 
his body after his death. 

Next day we moved a short distance to the rear, where we 
remained until the 27th, suffering greatly from intense heat. 
The sun poured down its rays in a blistering flood which was 
terrible, and several of the boys were prostrated. Water was 
very scarce and we all suffered from thirst. 

On the 27th we moved to the front again and worked at our 
usual occupation, building intrenchments. On the 29th we 
moved farther to the right and built more works, ^^'e were 
now between Jerusalem Plank Road and the Weldon Railroad, 
and were there until July 4th, where there was a large force of 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 259 

the enemy behind strong works, and it was a general shooting 
match between the lines. In short, from now on until the 
end of our term of service, it was a continued fight and skirm- 
ish every day. The two lines had apj^roaclied so close to 
each other that as soon as a head appeared above the breast- 
works on either side it became immediately the target for hun- 
dreds of bullets. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

(From July 4, 1864, to 'July 30, 1864.) 



Siege of Petersburg Deep Bottom The Mine. 



"In the God of battles trust! 
Die we may — and die we must; 
But, oh, where can dust to dust 
Be consigned so well. 

As when Heaven its dews shall shed 
On the martyred patriot's bed, 
And the rocks shall raise their head, 
Of his deeds to tell?" 

T^ HE Fourth of July, 1864, in the entrenchments around 
Petersburg, where two hostile armies confronted each 
other, with picket posts in many instances, not forty feet 
apart, passed in a comparatively qtiiet manner. Occasional 
shots were exchanged between batteries in the fortifications 
and sharpshooters' i nthe works but on the whole, there was 
scarcely as much powder burned as in some of the Northern 
cities. 

On the afternoon of the 8th, the enemy discovered a large 
working detail constructing a new fort at the right of our 
division and at once opened their batteries tipon it, and also 
commenced a fierce fusilade of musketry in our immediate 
front. The regiments were formed behind the breastworks 
and held in readiness to meet and resist an assault. 

For several weeks there had been but little firing in our 
front and that of a desultory nature. Emboldened by the pre- 
vailing quiet, regimental sutlers and brigade purveyors had 
moved their tents and stocks in trade into the very front line 
of works. The tmexpected fusilade created a panic among 
these non-combatants, and many of them hastily abandoned 
their "stores," deeming their merchandise of less value than 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 261 

their precious lives. The soldiers, notwithstanding' the severe 
shelling, and shower of bullets, availed themselves of the 
opportunity thus afforded and helped themselves from the 
abandoned tents and made many profitable investments in 
edibles and wearables. 

On the nth, marching orders were received, as the enemy 
was reported making a demonstration on our left. We, how- 
ever, remained in position until lo p. m., when we were ordered 
to demolish and level the works in our front as quietly as pos- 
sible and be in readiness for another mrach. The demolition 
of the breastworks created another panic among the sutlers, 
who disposed of their remaining stocks at "greatly reduced 
prices" or gave away goods to favorite customers. 

At 3 o'clock a. m. of the 12th, the earthworks were leveled 
and the division moved two or three miles to the rear and 
bivouacked near the Williams house, on the Jerusalem Plank 
Road. A force of cavalry, with Barlow's division of the Sec- 
ond Corps, made a reconnoissance in force in the direction of 
the Weldon Railroad, while our division leveled another line 
of breastworks which had been thrown up by the Sixth Corps. 

On the 13th we moved again to the rear, and went into 
camp. It was rumored that the Second Corps had been tem- 
porarily detached from the Army of the Potomac, to be held 
in readiness to move to the defenses of Washington as the 
enemy was reported making another demonstration on the 
Capitol. The Sixth Corps had already embarked from City 
Point. 

At this time, all that remained of the glorious old Third 
Army Corps, now constituted the division composed of three 
brigades, and a portion of these troops were new men and new 
regimental organizations assigned to it since the consolidation 
of the army, and it is a somewhat remarkal^le and noticeable 
fact that notwithstanding the many changes necessitated by 
reorganization, not a single regiment of the original Third was 
ever transferred to any other corps. 

IMajor General D. B. Birney, long commander of the grand 
old Kearney division, having been assigned to the command 



2 62 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

of the Tenth Army Corps, issued his farewell address to his 
old command on July 22nd. The command of the division 
then devolved upon Alajor General Gershon Mott, of New 
Jersey. 

During our occupancy of the forts and entrenchments in 
front of Petersburg, fatigue details were furnished every sec- 
ond day for the construction of "covered ways" and "parallels" 
to the fortifications on the front line. They were constructed 
ni a series of "zigzags," twelve feet in width and four feet deep 
with the earth all thrown out on the side nearest the enemy, 
making an additional wall of earth four feet in height. It was 
thUjS necessary to traverse a distance of tw'o or three miles to 
reach a position quarter or half a mile from the starting point 
in a bee line. 

On the morning, of the 26th, orders were received to march 
at 4 p. m. This day was spent in issuing rations and making 
preparations for a move. At 5 o'clock the division was en 
route in the direction of City Point, and the boys became 
enthusiastic over the prospect of a trip on the historic Potomac 
and a visit to the Nation's Capitol. These pleasant anticipa- 
tions were summaril}- shattered when at Point of Rocks we 
crossed the Appomattox on a pantoon bridge, and at 2 p. m. 
rested on the banks of the James River at a point known as 
Jones' Neck. Soon after, the crossing of the James was 
effected on pontoons and a junction made at Deep Bottom 
with a brigade of the Nineteenth Corps of General Butler's 
command. 

At daylight of the 27th the division was massed in a grove 
which sheltered it from vie wand sent out skirmishers to ascer- 
tain the position and strength of the enemy in our front. He 
was discovered in a thick forest growth, strongly entrenched, 
from which position he opened a disastrous enfilading artillery 
fire upon our line, which resulted in severe losses until silenced 
bv the left of our skirmish line. By a brilliant sortie of Bar- 
low's division, the guns were captured and proved to be a 
battery of twenty-pound parrot guns which had been captured 
from Butler's forces just two months before at Drury's Bluff. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 263 

\Yc remained in our advanced position on picket during the 
night of the 27th and until dari< of the following day, when 
we were relieved by Barlow's division and immdeiately took 
up the line of march, recrossing the James and moved rapidly 
in the direction of our former camp. Ours was the only divis- 
ion that recrossed and we made a forced march. Staff officers 
from General Ord, to whom we were ordered to report, were 
continually urging the column to "hurry up, step out." The 
march was severe and fatiguing in the extreme, and when at 
daylight of the 29th we arrived near the line of works, held by 
the Eighteenth Corps, but a small proportion of the command 
was present. Stragglers continued to arrive during the day, 
while we were massed under the brow of a hill, out of sight of 
the enemy's line. 

After dark we moved into the trenches in front of the site 
of the Hare house, a locality not wholly unfamiliar to our 
division and memorable as the scene of our disastrous and 
unsuccessful charge of June i8th. The spot was, however, 
now scarcely recognizable, as the works had been considerably 
advanced and strengthened and all the fojmer landmarks oblit- 
erated. 

To relieve the troops in the trenches was a slow, delicate 
and dangerous undertaking, owing to the proximity of the 
Union and Confederate lines and the necessity of silence on 
our part. We moved to the front in single file, through nar- 
row-covered ways scarcely two feet in width, which were in 
fact nothing more than zigzag ditches. During the time 
occu])icd in relieving the troops we were subjected to severe 
shelling and musketry fire. At midnight we were in position 
occupying a series of "bomb-proofs," which were constructed 
of huge logs covered with several feet of earth as a protection 
from the artillery of the enemy, particularly from the cohorn 
and mortar batteries which dropped their missiles into our 
lines behind the breastworks with unerring and most uncom- 
fortable accuracy. 

We were under arms before daylight of the 30th, and anxi- 
ously awaited the explosion of the mine in our immediate 



264 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

front. At 4 o'clock a. m. a flash, a terrific explosion, a volume 
of red flame, mingled with a mass of timbers, earth, artillery- 
wheels and human beings, like the sudden eruption of a vast 
volcano, proclaimed that Burnside's mine, as far as its location 
and explosive effects were concerned, was a pronounced and 
unequivocal success. 

The explosion of the mine was a signal for the entire artil- 
lery along our lines to open fire, siege guns and light pieces, 
cohorns and mortars fired by batteries and as soon as he recov- 
ered from his surprise, were promptly answered by the enemy. 

During the day, a dispatch from General Burnside to Gen- 
eral Aleade announced that the enemy had left his front and 
acting upon this information which he deemed reliable, Meade, 
through his corps commanders, ordered an immediate general 
advance along the entire line. 

Our brigade and division commanders were, however, posi- 
tive that the rebels were strongly in evidence in our front 
and by a series of strategical devices, demonstrated the fallacy 
of Burnside's assertion. The men were instructed to raise 
their caps upon bayonets above the works, and officers gave 
orders in loud tones to "take arms," fix bayonets, charge 
bayonets, forward, double quick, etc. As the bugles sounded 
the advance and charge, the men gave the "Union shout," indi- 
cating a charge which was answered by such a shower of 
bullets, shot and shell, as convinced the generals that the 
enemy had not evacuated the works in front. 

The mine itself was a grand success, but the infantry attack 
following, which "vi^as entrusted to colored troops and com- 
paratively new regiments, was a humiliating and disastrous 
failure. It was the consensus of opinion, not only in our 
corps, but throughout the entire Army of the Potomac, that 
had the affair been entrusted to Hancock with his corps of 
seasoned veterans, the result would have been entirely differ- 
ent. 

At dark we were relieved, and at midnight returned to our 
former camp in the pine woods, where we were ordered to hold 
ourselves in readiness to move at short notice. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

(From July 30, 1864, to August 25, 1864.) 



INj the Trenches at Petersburg— Second Deep Bottom - Blood- 
less Duel in the Corn Patch— Music in Camp. 



'Two armies covered hill and plain. 
Where Rappahannock's waters 

Ran deeply crimsoned with the stain 
Of battle's recent slaughters. 

The summer clouds lay pitched like tents 

In meads of heavenly azure; 
And each dread gun of the elements 

Slept in its high embrazure. 

The breeze so softly blew, it made 

No forest leaf to quiver; 
And the smoke of the random cannonade 

Rolled slowly from the river.' 

And now when circling hills looked down 

With cannon grimly planted, 
O'er listless camp and silent town 

The golden sunset slanted. 

When on the fervid air there came 
A strain, now rich, now tender; 

The music seemed itself aflame 
With day's departing splendor. 

A Federal band, which eve and morn 
Played measures brave and nimble, 

Had just struck up with flute and horn 
An'd lively clash of cymbal. 

Down flocked the soldiers to the banks; 

Till, margined by its pebbles, 
One wooded shore was blue with 'Yanks,' 

And one was gray with 'Rebels.' 

Then all was still; and then the band 
With movement light and tricksy, 

Made stream and forest, hill and strand, 
Reverberate with 'Dixie.' 



2 66 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

The conscious stream, with burnished glow. 
Went proudly o'er its pebbles, 

But thrilled throughout its deepest flow 
With yelling of the Rebels. 

Again a pause; and then again 
The trumpet pealed sonorous. 

And 'Yankee Doodle' was the strain 
To which the shore gave chorus. 

The laughing ripples shoreward flew 
To kiss the shining pebbles; 

Loud shrieked the swarming Boys in Blue 
Defiance to the Rebels. 

And yet once more the bugle sang 

Above the stormy riot; 
No shout upon the evening rang — 

There reigned a holy quiet. 

The sad, slow stream its noiseless flood 
Poured o'er the glistening pebbles; 

And silent now the Yankees stood, 
All silent stood the Rebels. 

No unresponsive soul had heard 
That plaintive note's appealing. 

So deeply 'Home, Sweet Home' had stirred 
The hidden founts of feeling. 

Or Blue, or Gray, the soldier sees. 

As by the wand of fairy, 
The cottage 'neath the live oak trees. 

The cabin by the prairie. 

Or cold, or warm, his native skies 
Bend in their beauty o'er him; 

Seen through the tear-mist in his eyes, 
His loved ones stand before him. 

As fades the iris after rain. 

In April's tearful weather. 
The vision vanished as the strain 

And idaylight died together. 

But Memory waked by Music's art 
Expressed in simple numbers, 

Subdued the stoutest Yankee's heart. 
Made light the Rebel's slumbers. 

And fair the form of Music shines — 
The bright celestial creature — 

Who still mid War's embattled lines 
Gave this one touch of Nature." 



-John R. Thompson. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 2 67 

"YTLTHEN there was no firing- on the picket lines and no 
artillery practice, the bands of both armies discovirsed 
fine music, much to the delight and edification of the men, 
who would throng the parapets to listen. 

The term of service of the original Sixty-third Regiment 
expired on August i, 1864, but the exigencies of the conflict 
demanded the retention of the command until September 9th, 
when the old men who had been mustered into United States 
service three years before, were honorably discharged and the 
recruits, substitutes, and drafted men who joined the regiment 
at subsequent dates, and veterans who had been re-enlisted, 
were transferred, first to the Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania, and 
later to the One Hundred and Fifth Penns3dvania, with which 
latter command they had been intimately associated in 
bivouac, camp and field. 

As the time approached when the men would receive their 
discharge from the service of Uncle Sam, and donning the 
habiliments of civilians, return once more to tlie peaceful 
pursuits and avocations of private citizenship, the soldiers 
who had for three long years sufifered hardships and privations 
and faced death on many an ensanguined field, and "drank 
from the same canteen," commenced to look eagerly forward 
to the time when they would rejoin their loved ones in God's 
own country. At first the time was reckoned by months, 
then weeks, then days, and as the date of their emancipation 
from military duty and discipline drew nearer, the boys began 
to congratulate each other that they would only have so many 
more hard-tack to devour, the number diminishing and care- 
fully calculated after each meal. 

The time of our enforced retention in service was spent 
with the division in the intrenchmcnts before Petersburg, and 
in making many rcconnoisances, both to the right and left 
of the line, it appearing to the men that Birney's foot cavalry 
were always called upon for especially dangerous duty. 

While quietly enjoying our twilight siestas on the evening 
of August 5th, orders were received to "fall in" at once. We 
were moved to the front and after proceeding about one mile. 



2 68 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

returned to camp in the reserve. The alarm was occasioned 
by an attempt of the enemy to spring a mine under one of the 
forts in the advanced line. The mine "exploded," but owing 
to miscalculation on the part of the Confederate sappers and 
miners, the explosion occurred some fifty feet in front of our 
line and no serious damage was sustained, save by the heavy 
artillery firing on both sides, which the attempt provoked. 
The weather was extremely hot and sultry and the flies were 
even a greater inconvenience than the heat ; the air was liter- 
ally black with them. 

On the afternoon of the 9th, a heavy explosion was heard, 
wdiich was at first supposed to be another mine, but we sub- 
sequently learned that it was the arsenal at City Point, about 
ten miles distant. 

At noon of August 12th, marching orders were received and 
we were soon en route for City Point where, after an easy 
march, we arrived at 8 o'clock p. m. As no artillery or wagons 
accompanied the column, appearances indicated that we were 
to embark, and a thousand rumors were afloat as to our desti- 
nation. The division embarked at noon on August 13th, on 
a number of transports and steamed down the river to Light 
House Point, bands playing and division, brigade and regi- 
mental colors flying. The enemy's scouts on the banks of 
the James, regarded the movement with apparently the same 
degree of curiosity evinced by the men on board. We were 
under sealed orders, not even the generals themselves being 
aware of our destination. At 10 o'clock p. m. a steam tug 
approached with orders to leave immediately for Deep Bot- 
tom, up the river again. Before da3dight of the 14th, our 
division disembarked near the pontoon bridge and massed 
near the river banks, while a reconnoisance was pushed to the 
front to develop the position and strength of the enemy's force. 
While we held the line of works erected by Gibbon's division, 
near the potteries during our last visit to Deep Bottom, the 
skirmishers were thrown well forward as far as the New Mar- 
ket Road — our left resting on Four Mile Creek. Skirmish 
firing was kept up at intervals during the day and our losses 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 2 69 

were comparatively light. We succeeded in driving the enemy 
into his works, he using some artillery to which our gun boats 
in the river replied, and soon silenced his batteries. The gun- 
boats threw fifteen-inch shells, the noise of which passing over 
our heads, was very peculiar, resembling heavily loaded 
wagons passing rapidly over a wooden bridge. Their aim was 
excellent, and their execution decidedly disastrous. 

Our landing at this point was a complete surprise to the 
enemy, and we captured a large quantity of ammunition and 
a battery of sea-coast howitzers which had been placed in 
position to shell our gunboats, but had never been utilized for 
that purpose. 

On the 15th, skirmishing continued all day. In the after- 
noon we were ordered to make a demonstration to divert the 
attention of the enemy and prevent him from sending troops 
to his left, where it was expected that General Birney with 
his Tenth Corps would make an attack. Brigadier General 
John B. Chambliss, of the Confederate Army, a classmate of 
General Hancock at West Point, was killed during the day 
and his body was brought into our lines and interred near 
the potteries with the honors of war. 

On the following day we were ordered to keep up an inces- 
sant fire from the picket line and harass the enemy at all 
possible points. Heavy firing was heard all day in Birney's 
front and toward evening the Confederates made a determined 
demonstration in our front, but were repvilsed. 

On the 17th it was very quiet all day, the soldiers having 
apparently declared a tem]>orary truce on their own account. 
A field of corn between the lines in our front was bisected 
about midway by a deep ditch which, by tacit agreement, con- 
stituted the dividing line of the belligerents in their ownership 
of the coveted roasting ears. It was agreed that the soldiers 
of the two armies should take only what was on their own 
side of the excavation. During the forenoon, a big Yank of our 
division confronted an equally big Johnny Reb of a Florida 
regiment, on our side of the ditch with his arms full of fine 
roasting ears. Our representative, with a due appreciation 



270 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

of the laws of "meum and tuuni," ordered Mr. Reb to turn 
over his load to Uncle Sam. A verbal duel between the two 
followed, supplemented by a challenge from Mr. Yank to 
decide the rights of the case according to A'larquis of Queens- 
bury rules. The challenge was accepted, the Floridan threw 
down his spoils, a ring was formed by soldiers of both armies 
to see "fair play" and the contestants proceeded to discuss 
the ownership of the roasting ears with their fists after the 
most approved rules of the prize ring. Owing to superior 
strength and skill, our man was declared the victor. Johnny 
Reb gracefull}^ acknowledged the "corn" and leaving it on the 
ground, retired to his own lines amid the cheers of the specta- 
tors. Not an angry word was spoken on either side, and the 
combatants shook hands when the victory was won. Similar 
contests were not infrequent during this most peculiar fra- 
tricidal war that was ever maintained between soldiers of the 
same nationality. 

We were relieved on the evening of August i8th, and cross- 
ing the James on a pontoon at Deep Bottom, and the Appo- 
mattox at Point of Rocks, marched in the direction of Peters- 
burg all night, arriving at daylight of the 19th, near the Dunn 
house. After an hour for breakfast, w-e relieved General Pot- 
ter's division of the Ninth Corps in the trenches. The 
opposing lines at this point were not more than two hundred 
yards apart, and the advanced pickets were within easy speak- 
ing distance. There had been no picket or musketry firing in 
this front for the past six weeks, and although intercourse 
with the enemy w'as strictly forbidden, the men were on the 
most friendly terms, amicably conversing and exchanging 
such commodities as coffee, sugar, tobacco, corn meal and 
newspapers. 

It was a singular sight to see the soldiers of two great 
hostile armies walking about unconcernedly within a few 
yards of each other, with their bayonets sticking in the 
ground, bantering and joking together, exchanging the com- 
pliments of the day and even saluting officers of the opposing 
forces with as much ceremony, decorum and respect, as they 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 271 

did their own. The keenest sense of honor existed among the 
enlisted men of each side. It was no uncommon sight, when 
visiting the picket posts, to see an ecjual number of "gray- 
backs and bkiebellies" as they facetiously termed each other, 
cnjo3ang a social game of euchre or seven-up and sometimes 
the great national game of draw poker, with army rations and 
sutler's delicacies as the stakes. 

In that portion of the main works held by us at this point, 
we were formed in a thin line of only one rank, to make a 
show of apparent force. The enemy shelled us almost inces- 
santly by day and night, but his artillery practice did but little 
execution, protected as we were by breastworks and bomb- 
proofs. 

It was evident at this time that the soldiers of the South 
were rapidly becoming disheartened and losing faith in the 
ultimate success of their cause. Deserters came in along our 
entire front every evening and reported short rations and 
consequent dissatisfaction among the enlisted men. Fin- 
negan's brigade of Alahone's division, composed principally of 
Florida troops, occupied the rebel works in our immediate 
front, and the Finnegan boys and the Kearney veterans had 
become very well acquainted during the numerous truces they 
had voluntarily made. So many deserters now came in every 
night from the Florida command that they became a source 
of considerable annoyance to the staff officers at brigade head- 
quarters, who were awakened at all hours of the night to 
receive them. 

One of the officers, in a spirit of fun, sent a polite note one 
evening to General Finnegan, requesting him to "come over 
and take command of his brigade, most of which was appar- 
ently on our side of the entrenchments, or if not convenient to 
come personally, to have his details report prom])tly before 9 
o'clock p. m." 

The enemy oi:)ened along his line with all his artillery at 
2 o'clock a. m. of the 21st, and shelled us the remainder of the 
night and until noon of the following day, when we again 
resorted to "strategy." 



272 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

Troops marched and countermarched behind the entrench- 
ments, loud orders to imaginary l:)attalions and brigades, and 
much activity shown, to give the enemy the impression that 
our lines were being strongly re-enforced, until he ceased his 
cannonading and quiet was once more restored. It was dis- 
covered that he had mined one of the forts occupied by our 
division. VVe countermined sufficiently to locate the site of 
his operations and then made such disposition as would result 
in the capture of our assailants in case of an attack. They, 
however, abandoned the mine soon after, whether on account 
of striking a vein of water and quicksand, or discovering our 
intentions, was not ascertained. 

On the 25th of August an engagement took place at Reams' 
Station in which two divisions of the Second Corps suffered 
severely. The enemy captured sixteen pieces of artillery, five 
of which were retaken by our corps. Our division was ordered 
to the front to re-inforce Hancock, but arrived too late to 
participate in the fight. During our occupancy of this line, 
one-third of each command was kept awake, under arms, and 
on the alert at all times, expecting a mine explosion or assault 
at any moment. 

The line of entrenchments occupied by our division from the 
19th of August, 1864, until the "muster out" of the original 
Sixty-third, on September 9th, extended from the Jerusalem 
Plank Road on the left to the line of the City Point and Peters- 
burg Railroad on the right, a distance of about one mile, 
including "Fort Hell," as it was generally and familiarly 
known in both armies and by newspaper correspondents who 
invariably used that designating title instead of the official 
name of Fort Sedgwick. 

This fort was situated on the Jerusalem Plank Road and 
although an irregular, it was one of the strongest fortifications 
on the line and in closer proximity to the enemy's line than 
any of the other forts. The rebels, not to be outdone by the 
Yanks in appropriate nomenclature, designated their fort 
directly opposite ours, as Fort Damnation, and these are the 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 2 73 

names by which the soldiers of both armies still remember 
these strongholds. 

But few even of our own soldiers were or are now aware 
of the origin and derivation of the name Fort Hell, satisfied 
with the not far-fetched explanation that it was so called 
because it was the hottest place on the line, but the true origin 
of this peculiar and not inappropriate appellation was this — 
before it had been officially designated in orders. Fort Sedg- 
wick, an ambitious colonel commanding the brigade which 
erected and first garrisoned the fort, caused a sign to be placed 
at the entrance bearing his own name. To avoid personalities, 
it may be assumed that his name was "Smith."" General Idimt, 
chief of artillery of the Army of the Potomac, while visiting 
the front on a tour of inspection, noticed the sign and reining 
up his steed, read the imposing inscription, and exclaimed with 
an impetuous sneer "Fort Smith ! — Fort Hell !"' The soldiers 
who overheard the brief soliloquoy, adopted the appellation 
thus bestowed and thereafter, save in of^cial documents. Fort 
Sedgwick was known in the army only as h^ort Flell. 

During our occupancy of this line, we were shelled vigor- 
ously by the enemy day and night, and during the evenings we 
were frequently favored with brilliant pyrotechnic displays by 
the mortar batteries of both armies. Their shells, in their 
passage through the air, describing luminous curves, resem- 
bled rockets and the men would frequently leave the "gopher 
holes" as the bomb proofs were humorously designated, even 
at the risk of their lives, to watch the display of the fireworks, 
tracing their fiery paths through the darkness of the summer 
nights. 

August I, 1864, was the third anniversary of our muster into 
the service of the United States. On each recurring anni- 
versar}^ of that day, even to the ])resent time, the soldiers of 
the Sixty-third recall the lines of the following touching poem 
by Charles G. Halpine, read at a reunion of his own command 
a few years ago : 



274 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

THE THOUSAND AND THIRTY-SEVEN. 

Three years ago today 

We raised our hands to Heaven 
And on the roll of muster 

Our names were thirty-seven; 
There was just a thousand bayonets, 

And the swords were thirty-seven. 
As we took the oath of office 

With our right hands raised to Heaven. 

Oh, 'twas a gallant day. 

In memory still adored, 
That day of our sun-bright nuptials 

With the musket and the sword! 
Shrill rang the fifes, the bugles blared. 

And beneath a cloudless Heaven, 
Twinkled a thousand bayonets, 

And the swords were thirty-seven. 

Of the thousand stalwart bayonets 

Two hundred march today; 
Hundreds lie in Virginia swamps, 

And hundreds in Maryland clay; 
And other hundreds, less happy, drag 

Their shattered limbs around. 
And envy the deep, long, blessed sleep 

Of the battlefield's holy ground. 

For the swords — one night, a week ago, 

The remnant, just eleven, 
Gathered around a banqueting board 

With seats for thirty-seven; 
There were two limped in on crutches, 

And two had each but a hand 
To pour the wine and raise the cup 

As we toasted "Our Flag and Land!" 

And the room seemed filled with whispers. 

As we looked at the vacant seats, 
And, with choking throats, we pushed aside 

The rich but untasted meats; 
Then in silence we brimmed our glasses, 

And we rose up — just eleven — 
And bowed as we drank to the loved and the dead 

Who had made us thirty-seven! 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

(From August 2 6, 1864, to September 9, 1864.) 



In the Trenches— Expiration ob Term of Service— Consolidation 
WITH One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers— Re- 
• turn of the Shattered Columns 



WHEN THE REGIMENT CAME BACK. 

All the uniforms were blue, all the swords were bright and new, 

When the regiment went marching down the street. 
All the men were hale and strong as they proudly moved along. 

Through the cheers that drowned the music of their feet. 
Oh, the music of the feet keeping time to drums that beat. 

Oh, the splendor and the glitter of the sight. 
As with swords and rifles new and in uniforms of blue. 

The regiment went marching to the fight. 

When the regiment came back, all the guns and swords were black 

And the uniforms had faded out to gray.' 
And the faces of the men who marched through that street again 

Seemed like faces of the dead who lose their way. 
For the dead who lose their way cannot look more wan and gray 

Oh, the sorrow and the pity of the sight, 
Oh, the weary lagging feet, out of step with drums that beat. 

As the regiment comes marching from the fight. 

—Ella Wheeler Wilcox. 

/^N THE evening of September 4th, official notice was 
received of the capture of Atlanta by General Slierman. 
A national salute of thirty-six shotted guns was fired at mid- 
night in honor of the victory, by every battery bearing on 
the enemy's works. The "Johnnies" were much surprised 
and alarmed at being so unceremoniously aroused at the 
witching hour of night, and regarding the unusual demon- 
stration as the prelude to an attack, replied briskly to our fire 
from all their batteries and cohorns. The noise in the dead 
hour of the night was terrific and the sight one of grandeur. 
The air was literally filled with the flash of heavy and light 



276 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

artillery on either side, and bombs, whose fiery trails were 
truly and grandly sublime. 

The time for our discharge from the service of the United 
States had now arrived, and one hundred and sixty-two 
enlisted men and two officers of the Sixty-third whose terms 
had not expired, and those veterans who had re-enlisted, were 
transferred to the Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania Regiment. 
These men, how^ever, made a vigorous protest and the follow- 
ing appeal, which was signed by every re-enlisted man of the 
Sixty-third, was forwarded to the War Department at Wash- 
ington : 

"Headquarters Sixty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, 

August 11, 1864. 

Sir: — The undersigned, non-commissioned officers and privates of 
the Sixty-third Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, respectfully beg 
leave to submit the following statement for your consideration: 

As will be seen by the enclosed order, the term of service of seven 
companies of this regiment has expired and we, (the veterans and 
recruits) who are left, are ordered for field service to the Ninety- 
ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

We know that a strong effort has been, and is still being made, to 
have the consolidation a permanent one, and it is against this that 
we appeal. 

The Sixty-third and the One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania 
Regiments were organized in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the fall 
of 18 61, in the same camp and at the same time. We came to Wash- 
ington City and were very soon brigaded together in the brigade 
commanded by the late Brigadier General C. D. Jameson. Since that 
time we have never been separated for a single 'day. Our histories 
are identical, having always fought side by side in the numerous 
battles in which we have been engaged. We have many friends and 
relatives there, and feel that our assignment to that regiment would 
be conducive to the best interests of the service. The One Hundred 
and Fifth is a veteran organization and it is our earnest wish that 
we be transferred to that regiment. On the other hand, we beg leave, 
most respectfully, to protest against our being transferred to the 
Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers. It is from the eastern por- 
tion of the State, while we are from the western. There is nothing 
to i'dentify us with them. Our relations with one another have 
always been other than friendly, and we feel that any credit that we 
might be entitled to in the future, would be accredited to a portion 
of the State other than our own, thereby depriving our friends at 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 2 77 

home of the credit or discredit of our actions in tlie future. We feel 
that this is unjust and that the majority of us, having served faith- 
fully and honestly, for a period of three years, and having re-enlisted 
for a new term, that our feelings and interests, as well as those of 
our friends at home, should, to some degree at least, be consulted. 

We would, therefore, earnestly and urgently request that such 
steps be taken as will prevent the consummation of an object that 
will be humiliating to us; that the order assigning us to the Ninety- 
ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers be revoked and that we be assigned 
to the regiment of our choice, the One Hundred and Fifth Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers." 

This comnmnication was favorably considered by the War 
Department, and the recruits and re-enlisted veterans of the 
Sixty-third were transferred to the One Hundred and Fifth 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, with which gallant organization 
they served faithftily and honorably until the surrender at 
Appamattox Court House on Sunday, April 9, 1865. 

The re-enlisted men, who were actuated solel}" by their 
patriotism to continue in service after the expiration of their 
original terms, were also permitted, by general orders, to 
attach to their signatures the word 'A^eteran," and were mtis- 
tered as Veteran Volunteers under General Orders Nos. 191, 
305 and 376, War Department, A. G. O. 

Each one was entitled to a "furlough of at least thirty days 
in their State, previous to expiration of original term." The 
muster roll also shows the following note: "Has bounty 
$60.00, and $13.00 advanced on pay due." 

The remainder of the regiment, after three years" active 
service in the red front of battle, were mustered out in the field 
on September 9, 1864, and the SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT, 
PEXXSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS, as an organization, 
ceased to exist, having participated in thirty-nine battles and 
skirmishes, as per the following list i)romulgated l)y the War 
Department : 

1. Pohick Church, March 5, 1862. 

2. Siege of Yorktown, Va., April 3 to May 4, 1862. 

3. Peach Orchard, April 9, 1862. Reconnoissance in front of 
Yorktown, Va. 



278 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

4. Wynu's Mills, April 11, 1862. Reconnoissance in front of 
Yorktown, Va. 

5. Williamsburg, May 5, 1862. 

6. Fair Oaks, Va., May 31 and June 1, 1862. 

7. Near Fair Oaks, Va., June 21, 1862. 

8. Oak Grove or the Orchard, June 25, 1862. 

9. White Oak Swamp, June 29, 1862. 

10. Glendale (Charles City Cross Roads, Nelson's Farm or 
Frazier's Farm) June 30, 1862. 

11. Malvern Hill, July 1, 1862. 

12. Kettle Run or First Bristoe, August 27, 1862. 

13. Groveton or Second Bull Run, August 29 and 30, 1862. 

14. Chantilly, September 1, 1862. 

15. Fredericksburg, December 12 to 15, 1862. 

16. Chancellorsville, May 1 to 5, 1863. 

17. Gettysburg, Pa., July 2 and 3, 1863. 

18. Wapping Heights, July 23, 1863. 

19. Auburn Mills, October 14, 1863. 

20. McLean's Ford, October 15, 1863. 

21. Kelly's Ford, November 7, 1863. 

22. Jacob's Ford, November 8, 1863. 

23. Mine Run Expedition, November 27 and 28, 1863. 

24. Reconnoisance to James City, February 28, 1864. 

25. Wilderness, May 5 to 7, 1864. 

26. Spottsylvania, May 8 to 21, 1864. 

27. Brown House, May 10, 1864. 

28. North Anna, May 23 and 24, 1864. 

29. Tolopotomy, May 31 to June 1, 1864. 

30. Cold Harbor, June 2 to 5, 1864. 

31. Barker's Mills, June 6 to 12, 1864. 

32. Before Petersburg, June 16, 1864. 

33. Hare House, June 18, 1864. 

34. Skirmish of Davis Farm, June 21, 1864. 

35. Second Corps flanked, morning, June 22, 1864. 

36. Heavy skirmish, evening, June 22, 1864. 

37. Deep Bottom, July 27, 1864. 

38. Heavy fighting, July 30, 1864. 

39. Heavy skirmish near church, August 14 to 15, 1864.* 



*From this date until September 9, 1864, there was constant 
picket firing and skirmishing. 

Of the 1,341 men enrolled at various times, 883 were killed, 
wounded or ini^'sing in action, as follows: 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 



279 



Officers Men Total 



Killed 10 

Wounded 48 

Captured or missing 4 

Aggregate 62 

DEATHS. 

Officers 

Killed in action 10 

Died of wounds 7 

Died of disease or in prison 1 

Other known or unknown causes 



18 



106 
571 
144 

821 



116 
619 
148 

883 



Men 


Total 


106 


116 


62 


69 


126 


127 


9 


9 



303 



321 



Of the original line officers but two returned, the non-com- 
missioned officers and several of the privates were their suc- 
cessors, and mtich of the praise due to the regiment in action 
can be attributed to this fact : One private terminated his 
military career in the retired list of the Regular Army as a 
brigadier general — Joseph B. Kiddoo, a private of Company F. 
Another private of Company F, David Shields, subsequently 
rose to the rank of captain, and served with distinction on the 
staff of General Hays. Another fact which seems a little out 
of the ordinary line of military history was that one quarter- 
master was killed, another wounded. The regiment was 
singularly fortunate in having Colonel Hays as its first com- 
mander, impetuous and daring in battle, he possessed a cool, 
clear brain, and with the eye that took in the situation at a 
glance. Tender hearted as a child, yet rigid in discipline. 
With such a commander, this regiment, composed of men who 
loved their native land, could not fail to be effective in the line 
of duty, however, dangerous, and stand steady under the 
fiercest rain of shot and shell. All honor to Alexander Hays, — 
brave, intrepid, tried and true, whose memory is a fragrant one 
to every soldier of the Sixty-third. 

Those who had been "mustered out" and received their final 
discharge papers, v^-ere overwhelmed with joy, and it is impos- 
sible to even attempt to describe the sensations of the "boys" 
when they were ordered to pack up and start for home. They 
proceeded down the James River to Fortress Monroe, thence 



280 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

to Washington, and via the Pennsylvania Railroad to Pitts- 
burgh. 

But what changes had taken place since they had left the 
city for the front, and how many of the old regiment were left 
of that body of men who had so proudly marched away to war 
on the 1st of August, 1861 ! How sad we were as we recalled 
the dear comrades who had stood shoulder to shoulder with 
us on the march, and on the battlefield, and whose bones were 
mouldering on the many battlefields of the South, and with 
whom we would never meet in this life again. As our little 
remnant returned to our native villages, how many sad faces 
met us as we greeted the weeping wives, bereaved children 
and friends whose loved ones we had left behind, never to 
rejoin this side of the grave ; comrades who had scaled their 
patriotism with their life's blood, and had saved the country 
by giving their lives in its defense. Gazing at these mourning 
friends, reminded us of the home- coming of a body of soldiers 
from a foreign war : 

"Bells are swinging, 
Lou'dly ringing, 
Hame the soldiers come, 
Some are greeting. 
Some are weeping. 
Some with joy are dumb, 
Whilst others stand ayont the wa' 
Wie grief their hearts maist brack in twa. 
Whilst ithers shout wi' frantic joy. 
They weep o'er friends that's gane." 



FINIS. 



PART II 



COMPANY HISTORY 

AND 

ROSTER 



FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS. 



ALEXANDER HAYS, Colonel — Mustered in August 25, 1861; pro- 
moted to Brigadier General, September 29, 1862; to Brevet Major 
General, May 5, 1864. Wounded at Second Bull Run, Va., 
August 29, 1862. Killed at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. 
Buried in Allegheny cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

A. S. M. MORGAN, Colonel — Mustered in August 25, 1861. Pro- 
moted from Lieutenant Colonel, September 29, 1862. Severely 
wounded at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. Discharged April 16, 
1863, on account of wounds received at Fair Oaks. 

WILLIAM S. KIRK WOOD, Colonel — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Promoted from Captain Company B to Major, June 20, 1862; 
to Lieutenant Colonel, September 29, 1862; to Colonel, April 
18, 1863. Wounded at Second Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. 
Died June 28, 1863, of wounds received at Chancellorsville, Va., 
May 3, 1863. Buried Fairview, Pa. 

JOHN A. DANKS, Colonel — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Pro- 
moted from Captain Company E to Major, September 29, 1862; 
to Lieutenant Colonel, December 18, 1863; commissioned Colonel 
to date from July 1, 1863. Mustered out with regiment. Died 
at Glenfield, Pa., July 26, 1896. Buried in Allegheny, Pa. 

MAURICE WALLACE, Major — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Pro- 
moted from Captain Company H, August 6, 1861. Resigned 
June 19, 1862. Died Pittsburgh, Pa., 1899. 

JAMBS P. RYAN, Major — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Promoted 
from Captain Company I, December 19, 1863. Discharged April 
1, 1864. Died at McKeesport, Pa., April 19, 1887. Buried 
there. 

GEORGE W. McCULLOUGH, Major — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Promoted from Captain Company F, April 5, 1964. Killed at 
Battle of Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1864. Buried National ceme- 
tery, Arlington, Va., grave 5225. 

GEORGE P. CORTS, Adjutant — Mustered in August 25, 1861. 
Resigned November 12, 1862, and appointed on staff of General 
Alexander Hays. W^ounded at Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862, and at 
Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Died since the war. 

WILLIAM M. McGRANAHAN, Adjutant — Mustered in August 1, 
1861. Promoted from private Company D to Sergeant Major, 
May 12, 1862; to Adjutant, November 12, 1862. Died June 2, 
1863, of wounds received at Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. 

JOHNS A. YOUNG, Adjutant — Mustered in October 9, 1861. Pro- 
moted from Sergeant Company A to Sergeant Major, June 3, 
1863; to Adjutant, June 3, 1864. Mustered out with regiment. 



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STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 2 S3 

JAMES M. LYSLE, Quartermaster — Mustered in August 9, 1861. 
Promoted from Second Lieutenant Company I, September 1, 
1861. Killed near Pohick Church, Va., March 5, 1862. Buried 
McKeesport, Pa. 

WILLIAM N. HAYMAKER, Quartermaster — Mustered in August 1, 

1861. Promoted from Second Lieutenant Company A, March 5, 

1862. Wounded at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. Mustered 
out with regiment. Died at Turtle Creek, Pa., March 13, 1904. 
Buried Cross Roads cemetery, Monroeville, Pa. 

JOHN T. CRAWFORD, Surgeon — Mustered in 1861. Promoted to 
Brigade Surgeon, October 7, 1S61. Died since the war. 

W. H. WORTHINGTON, Surgeon— Mustered in October 14, ]'861. 
Transferred to Ninety-ninth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
February 17, 1862. Died since the war. 

JAMES K. RODGERS, Surgeon — Mustered in September 18, 1861. 
Transferred to Ninety-ninth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, February 17, 1862. Discharged July 26, 1862. Died 
since the vv^ar. 

Z. RING JONES, Surgeon — Mustered in June 22, 1861. Promoted 
from Assistant Surgeon Thirty-fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers, August 20, 1862. Mustered out with regiment. 
Died since the war. 

JAMES A. McFADDEN, Assistant Surgeon — Mustered in August 1, 

1861. Resigned June 17, 1862. Died since the war. 

NOBLE C. McMORRIS, Assistant Surgeon — Mustered in August 2, 

1862. Mustered out with regiment. Died at Duncannon, Pa., 
1904. 

GERALD D. O'FARRELL, Assistant Surgeon — Mustered in March 
14, 1863. Mustered out with regiment. Died Philadelphia, 
Pa., March 27, 1902. 

JAMES JUNIUS MARKS, Chaplain — Mustered in August 2 6, 1861. 
Resigned December 20, 1862. Died Laguna Beach, Cal., August 
10, 1899. 

ROBERT M. MORTON, Sergeant Major — Mustered in August 1, 
1861. Promoted from private. Company B, July 3, 1863. Mus- 
tered out with regiment. 

CHARLES W. McHENRY, Sergeant Major — Mustered in August 1, 

1861. Promoted to Captain Company G, August 20, 1861. 
Discharged November 13, 1862. Died at Janesville, Wis., 
February 9,^1874, and buried there. 

SOLOMON KLINE, Sergeant Major — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Promoted to First Lieutenant Company D, May 15, 1862. Dis- 
charged July 26, 1862. Died since the war. 

WILLIAM P. HUNKER, Quartermaster Sergeant — Mustered in 
August 1, 1861. Promoted to First Lieutenant Company A, 
July 26, 1862; to Captain, May 4, 1863. Wounded three times. 
Mustered out with company. Died at Clermont, Pa., May 2, 
1906. 

WILLIAM ATWATER, Quartermaster Sergeant — Mustered in August 
18, 1861. Promoted from private, Company I, September 1, 

1862. Died since the war. 



284 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

JACOB LONEBAUGH, Commissary Sergeant — Mustered in August 
1, 1861. Promoted from private, Company B. Veteran volun- 
teer. Transferred to One Hundred and Fiftli Regiment, Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers. Died August 12, 1899. 

CHARLES D. SCHRIEVES, Hospital Steward — Mustered in December 
16, 1861. Transferred to One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, 
Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

JOHN HOWENSTINE, Principal Musician — Mustered in August 1, 
1861. Promoted from musician, Company E. Died at Pitts- 
burgh, Pa., since the war. 

J. REESE PARKER, Principal Musician — Mustered in August 1, 
1861. Mustered out with regiment. 

JOSEPH LICHENBERGER, Principal Musician — Mustered in August 
1, 1861, as private. Promoted from musician, Company F; 
and to Brigade Bugler, 1862; to Division Bugler, 1863; veteran 
volunteer. Transferred to non-commissioned field and staff as 
Fife Major, August 1, 1864. Died in Clarion county. Pa., May 
18, 1875. 

WILLIAM CLOV/ES, Hospital Steward — Mustered in September 9, 
1861. Promoted to Hospital Steward, Sixty-first Regiment, 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, March 31, 1862. 

WILLIAM H. MONTGOMERY, Drum Major — Mustered in August, 
1861. Discharged on surgeon's certificate, August 21, 1862. 
Died since the war. 

WILLIAM H. MORROW, Fife Major — Promoted from Company A. 
Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on surgeon's certifi- 
cate, December 26, 1863. 



THE REGIMENTAL BAND. 



The regimental band was recruited from New Brighton, Steuben- 
ville and Pittsburgh, the New Brighton squad being composed of 
Jacob and Ralph Covert, Emanuel and James C. Evans, Thomas F. 
and Jacob Johnston, Henry Noss, Moses Umstead, Myron Webb and 
Ferdinand A. Winter; v^hile from Steubenville came Robert C. and 
Benjamin E. Hawkins, Lyman and William Priest, George F. Lyman 
and George Stamm; Pittsburgh furnishing Thomas W. Baker, Wil- 
liam Beardsley and Robert Neely. 

The band was organized in Camp Wilkins, Pittsburgh, where they 
only remained a few days, proceeding to join the regiment, then in 
Washington, D. C, where they were mustered in August 2 5, 1861. 

For some weeks they had no instruments, and their time was put 
in drilling and arranging their music. Finally after many delays 
the instruments, which had been contributed by citizens of Pitts- 
burg, arrived at Camp Johnston, and the band got down to con- 
stant practice, under the leadership of Robert C. Hawkins, a gifted 
musician, being quartered in the rear of heaquarters, where they 
had their own mess and cook. Their daily duties embraced the 
music for guard mount in the morning, brigade drill in the after- 
noon, and dress parade in the evening. Occasionally they played for 
entertainments given by the regiment, and at General Kearney's and 
General Jameson's headquarters. Colonel Hays and General Kearney 
had little ear for music, but both seemed fond of it, so General 
Kearney on one occasion requested Colonel Hays to send his band 
down to headquarters for an evening concert. The colonel duly 
issued orders for the band to report at General Kearney's headquar- 
ters, which at once raised a howl of protest, the musicians stating 
that their leader was absent, as were several other leading players, 
and that they had no drums, but the colonel was firm, and they were 
marched down to General Kearney. Such awful music was seldom 
heard, but the boys fought it out, having for an audience in part 
tnany members of some of the excellent bands of other regiments con- 
nected with the division, who were generous in their somewhat 
personal criticism of those who were playing. 

The next morning Colonel Hays appeared before the band, saying, 
"I thought you fellows said you could not play last night? Why, 

General Kearney was delighted, and said it was the best d 

music he had heard in the army, and wants you to go down again 



286 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

tonight," and for about a week the baud, bad as it was, repeated 
their program. 

In time of action the members of the band served in connection 
with the ambulance corps, carrying off the wounded from the field, 
and assisting the surgeons in operations, their duties compelling 
them to be under fire frequently, although none were ever wounded 
or killed. 

Under General Order No. 151, issued by the War Department, all 
regimental bands were discharged, and the Sixty-third band was 
mustered out at Harrison's Landing, Va., August 9, 1862, proceeding 
to Baltimore, where they received their pay, and thence returned to 
their homes. 



ROSTER. 



ROBERT C. HAWKINS, Leader — Mustered in August 25, 1861. 

Mustered out with band, on General Order 151, August 9, 1862. 

Died at Steubenville, Ohio, April 3, 1902. Buried Union ceme- 
tery there. 
THOMAS W. BAKER — Mustered in August 25, 1861. Mustered out 

with band. Died at Pittsburgh, Pa., March 25, 1907. 
WILLIAM BEARDSLEY — Mustered in August 25, 1861. Mustered 

out with band. Died since the war. 
JACOB COVERT — Mustered in August 2 5, 1861. Mustered out with 

band, August 9, 1862. 
RALPH COVERT — Mustered in August 25, 18 61. Mustered out with 

ban'd, August 9, 1862. Died since the war. 
EMANUEL EVANS — Mustered in August 2 5, 1861. Mustered out 

with band, August 9, 1862. 
JAMES C. EVANS — Mustered in August 2 5, 1861. Mustered out 

with band, August 9, 1862. Died at Beaver Falls, Pa., April 4, 

1903. Buried Grandview cemetery there. 
BENJAMIN E. HAWKINS — Mustered in August 25, 1861. Mustered 

out with band. Died since tha» war. 
JACOB M. JOHNSTON — Mustered in August 25, 1861. Mustered 

out with band. 
THOMAS F. JOHNSTON — Mustered in August 2 5, 1861. at the age 

of 14 years 2 months, the youngest man in the regiment. Mus- 
tered out with band. 
GEORGE F. LYMAN — Mustered in August 2 5, 18 61. Mustered out 

with band, 
ROBERT NEELY — Mustered in August 25, 1861. Mustered out 

with band. Died since the war. 

HENRY NOSS — Mustered in August 25, 1861. Mustered out with 
band. Re-enlisted June 27, 1863, in Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania 
Militia. Discharged August 13, 1863. Re-enlisted September 8, 
1864, in Fifth Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery. Discharged June 
13, 1865. 

LYMAN PRIEST — Mustered in August 25, 1861. Mustered out 
with band. Re-enlisted. 



STORY OV THE SIXTY-TKIRD REGIMENT 287 

WILLIAM T. PRIEST — Mustered in August 2 5, 1861. Mustered out 
with band. 

GEORGE STAMM — Mustered in August 2 5, 1861. Mustered out 
with band. Re-enlisted in Seventy-fourth Regiment, Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers; discharged August 9, 1865. 

MOSES UMSTEAD — Mustered in August 25, 1861. Mustered out 
with band. Died since the war. 

MYRON S. WEBB — Mustered in August 2 5, 1861. Mustered out 
with band. 

FERDINAND A. WINTER — Mustered in August 25, 1861. Mus- 
tered out with band. 



HISTORY OF COMPANY A. 



In the spring of 1861, when Fort Sumter was fired on, and a call 
made for seventj^-five thousand men for three months, a number of 
the citizens of Braddock organized a com.pany, but were too late to 
be accepted, the quota having already been raised. 

The company then became a "home-guard" company and drilled 
regularly, thus holding themselves in readiness if another call 
should be made. 

After the First Battle of Bull Run, when the President issued his 
next call for men to serve for three years, a portion of the Braddock 
company went to White Ash, where they were joined by a number 
of others, and a full company was raised. 

About Avigust 1st they went to Pittsburgh and were placed in 
Camp Wilkins, formerly the old fair grounds. They now became 
Company A, Sixty-third regiment. 

On August 26, 1861, the company, with a number of others, left 
Pittsburgh and went to Washington, D. C. They went into camp 
at what was known as "Camp Sprague." 

On September 28th they crossed the Potomac at Alexandria, and 
encamped on the Leesburg Pike, at what was called "Camp 
Shields," where they remained until October 14th, when the regiment 
moved across Hunting Creek and encamped on the farm of George 
Mason, on the road leading from Alexandria to Accotink, and near 
Fort Lyon. 

This was known as Camp Johnston, and here they remained until 
March 17, 1862, when they embarked on transports at Alexandria 
and were taken to Fortress Monroe, where they landed and encamped 
for a short time at Hampton, from whence the Peninsular campaign 
began. 

It was one of the best companies in the regiment, and lost more 
men in killed, wounded and prisoners than any company in the 
Sixty-third. Out of one hundred and fifty men, but twenty-two 
returned at the end of their three years' enlistment, while forty- 
eight re-enlisted and became Veteran Volunteers, serving until the 
Confederacy went down and the Cause of the Union was triumphant. 
It participated in every battle and skirmish in which the regiment was 
engaged and occupying the point of honor at the right of the line, 
its loss was accordingly great. The best of harmony always existed 
between the officers and men, and out of one hundred and fifty men, 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 289 

but four have the mark of deserter charged against them, and but 
one of the officers resigned, while two were dismissed from the ser- 
vice. After the transfer of the regiment to the Peninsula, and while 
prosecuting the siege of Yorktown, the company suffered much from 
sickness and was engaged in the first encounter with the rebels in 
which Joseph M. Thompson was killed. After the Battle of Williams- 
burg, Company A was the first to enter the town. The memorable 
march up the Peninsula followed, and in the Battle of Fair Oaks, 
May 31, 1862, Company A lost very heavily. 

It took an active part in the seven days' fighting before Richmond 
and suffered heavy loss at Charles City Cross Roads, June 30, 1862. 
In August of the same year, the Army of the Potomac being ordered 
to move to the support of Pope, who was being badly whipped on 
the Rappahannock, Company A, at the head of the Sixty-third, left 
the Peninsula and on the 2 9th it did effective work at Second Bull 
Run. Also on September 1st at Chantilly, where the brave Kearney 
fell. 

On December 12, 1862, it was placed in the front at Fredericks- 
burg, where it remained forty-eight hours before being relieved. 
Going into winter quarters near Falmouth until January 20, 1863, 
when it took part in the famous "stick-in-the-mud" march under 
General Burnside. On May 3, 1863, it took a prominent part in the 
bloody battle of Chancellorsville, and it was there that the brave 
Captain Smith lost his life. Smith was universally lamented by the 
company. A cooler or braver officer never led men into battle. He 
never shirked danger ajid was a stranger to fear. 

On June 11, 1863, they started on the Gettysburg campaign, 
and on the morning of July 2nd the company was deployed as skirm- 
ishers along the Emmettsburg Pike. Again, after Lee's retreat from 
Pennsylvania, the company did effective work as skirmishers at 
Wapping Heights. At Culpepper it was reinforced by a number of 
conscripts. At Auburn Mills and Kelly's Ford it was again hotly 
engaged, and also participated in skirmishes at Locust Grove. The 
regiment went into winter quarters at Brandy Station. The terrible 
battles of the Wilderness followed in the early part of May, 1864, 
and Company A sustained its well-earned reputation for hard fight- 
ing. 

From this point until they arrived before Petersburg, it may be 
called one continual fight until the 14th day of June, and in all 
these battles and skirmishes Company A took an active part. While 
lying in front of Petersburg, skirmishing and fighting was of daily 
occurrence until August 1st, when the veterans and recruits having 
been transferred to the One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, twenty- 
two men, the sole survivors left of the immense company of one 



2 90 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

hundred and fifty men, were mustered out and returned to their 
homes. 

Company A has the proud distinction of capturing the only Con- 
federate flag taken by the Sixty-third during the war, Sergeant John 
M. Kendig having captured the battle flag of the Twenty-eighth 
North Carolina Regiment, at Spottsylvania, Va., May 12, 1864. 

The company, when fully organized, consisted of the following 
officers and enlisted men: 

J. McC. BERRINGER, Captain — Mustered in August 1, 1861. In 
command of company until July 2 6, 1862, when he was dis- 
missed from service. 

WILLIAM SMITH, First Lieutenant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Wounded at Fair Oaks, May 31, 18 62. Promoted to Captain 
Julv 26, 1862, vice Berringer. Killed at Chancellorsville May 
3, 1863. 

WILLIAM N. HAYMAKER, Second Lieutenant — Mustered in August 

1, 1861. Promoted to Quartermaster March 5, 1862. Wounded 
at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. Mustered out with company. 
Died March 13, 1904, at Turtle Creek, Pa. Buried Cross Roads 
cemetery, Monroeville, Pa. 

A. O. LAUFMAN, First Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Pro- 
moted to Second Lieutenant March 5, 1862. Resigned July 26, 
1862. 

J. W. ADAMS, Second Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Pro- 
moted to First Sergeant March 5, 1862; afterwards became a 
member of the band. Mustered out with company. Died Octo- 
ber 16, 1906, at Braddock, Pa. Buried Versailles cemetery, 
McKeesport, Pa. 

SAMUEL L. PBDAN, Third Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Promoted to First Sergeant July 15, 18G2; to Second Lieutenant 
July 26, 1862; to First Lieutenant July 1, 1863. Dismissed 
from service by sentence of general court martial November 2, 
1863. Died since the war. 

RUDOLPH J. MARTI, Fourth Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Discharged on account of disability August 2, 1862. Died 
October 4, 1900, at National Military Home, Ohio, and buried 
there. 

JAMES L. PAUL, Fifth Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Promoted to Corporal and to Sergeant. Wounded at Gettysburg, 
Pa., July 2, 1863. Re-enlisted. Veteran Volunteer. Trans- 
ferred to Company I, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers. 

WILLIAM P. HUNKER — Mustered in August 1, 18 61. Promoted to 
Quartermaster Sergeant November, 1861; to First Lieutenant 
July 26, 1862, and to Captain May 4, 1863. Wounded three 
times. Mustered out with company. Died Clermont, Pa., May 

2, 1906. 

ISAAC MILLS, JR. — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to 
Second Lieutenant July 5, 1863, and to First Lieutenant March 
1. 1864. Mustered out with company. Died Braddock, Pa., 
March 4, 1902. Buried there. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 291 

JOHNS A. YOUNG — Mustered in October 9, 1861. Made clerk in 
Brigade Commissary October, 1862. Promoted to Sergeant 
Major June 3, 1863, and to Adjutant June 3, 1864. Mustered 
out with company. 

JAMES C. QUINTBR — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted 
to Corporal and Sergeant. Severely wounded. Re-enlisted. 
Veteran Volunteer. Transferred to Company I, One Hundred 
and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Transferred to 
Veteran Reserve Corps, December 20, 1864. 

DANIEL 03KINS— Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at Fair 
Oaks May 31, 1862. Promoted to Corporal December 7, 1862, 
and to Sergeant November 24, 1863. Mustered out with com- 
pany. 

B. FRANK SFIAFER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to 
Sergeant March 10, 18 62. Prisoner from May 12 to November 
30, 1864. Discharged for disability February 16, 1865. 

GEORGE M. GIBSON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to 
Sergeant. Re-enlisted. Veteran Volunteer. Transferred to 
Company D, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died at Braddock, Pa., February 23, 1908. 

ISAAC McKEAG — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863. Discharged for disability 
November 24, 1863. Died after the war. 

CORPORALS. 

JOHN HAYMAKER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 

Nelson's farm, June 30, 1862. Promoted to Corporal July, 1863. 

Mustered out with company. Died Calhoun county, W. Va., 

October, 1901. Buried there. 
THOMAS M. SHANNON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded 

at Second Bull Run and at North Anna River. Promoted to 

Corporal February 24, 18 64. Mustered out with company. 
AARON CUBBERT — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at the 

Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Promoted to Corporal. Mustered out 

with company. 
JOHN McCUTCHEON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at Fair 

Oaks, May 31, 1862. 

ROBERT MURRAY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at the 
Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Buried in the National cemetery at 
City Point, Va. Grave 2 918. 

JOHN M. KENDIG — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to 
Sergeant. Re-enliste'd. Veteran Volunteer. Transferred to 
Company D, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Captured Confederate battle flag of Twenty-eighth 
North Carolina Regiment, May 12, 1864, at Spottsylvania, Va. 

JAMES MILLER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at the 
Wilderness, May 6, 1864. 

CHARLES A. McCOSH — Mustered in August 1, 1801. Wounded at 
Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862. Re-enlisted. Veteran Volunteer. 
Transferred to Company D, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, 
Pennsylvania Volunteers. Killed in fight at St. Louis, Mo., 
August 28, 1899. Buried there. 



2 92 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

JESSE MORRIS — Mustered in August 1, 18 61. Promoted to Cor- 
poral and to Sergeant. Wounded at Pair Oaks, Va., May 31, 
18 62. Discharged March 12, 1863, on account of wounds 
received at Fair Oaks. 

GEORGE HOERR — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Lost an arm at 
Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863; arm amputated within Con- 
federate lines. Discharged for disability January 20, 1864. 

JACOB R. LONG — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged for 
disability December 18, 1862. Died since the war. 

MUSICIANS. 

W. H. MORROW — Mustered in August ], 1861. Promoted to Fife 
Major November, 1861. Discharged on surgeon's certificate at 
Point Lookout Hospital, Maryland, December 26, 1863. 

JOHN MONTGOMERY— Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to 
Drum Major November, 1861. Reduced March, 1862. Dis- 
charged for disability August 21, 1862. Died after the war. 

ROBERT McWILLIAMS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered 
out with company. Died 1902, at Sardis, Pa. 

PRIVATES. 

J. M. ANDERSON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged for 
disability October 8, 1862. Died since the war. 

ROBERT H. BATES — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. , 

MILTON BARNETT — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862. Mustered out with company. 

WILLIAM F. BITNER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862. Re-enlisted. Veteran Volunteer. 
After the war enlisted in the Regular Army and was frozen to 
death in Wyoming Territory, in the winter of 1871. 

JOHN BOYLE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at Fair 
Oaks, May 31, 1862, also at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863. 
Veteran Volunteer. 

ANDREW J. BROWN — Mustered iu August 1, 1861. Discharged 
on surgeon's certificate April 2 7, 1862. Drafted and returned 
to company July 10, 1863. Deserted May 7, 1864. 

PATRICK BURNS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to Cor- 
poral. Wounded at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. Deserted 
August 13, 1862, after fight with superior officer. 

DAVID BURKE Y — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died of typhoid 
fever at Fair Oaks, June 24, 1862. 

WILLIAM C. BEECHER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed in 
action May 23, 1864. 

ROBERT BARR— Mustered in . Missing at the 

Wilderness, May 7, 1864. Supposed to have been killed. 

ROBERT CAMPBELL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out 
with the company. 

GEORGE COLSTON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Veteran Volun- 
teer. Transferred to Company D, One Hundred and Fifth Regi- 
ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since the war. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 293 

WILLIAM W. CLELAND — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered 
out with the companj'. 

JAMES CREIGHTON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Paroled pris- 
oner. Deserted May, 1863. 

HEZEKIAH CRAIG — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died of tvphoid 
fever at Fair Oalis, June 23, 1862. 

SAMUEL DEITRICK — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. Died since the war. 

WILLIAM DAVIDSON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
the Orchards, June 25, 1862. Discharged for disability Decem- 
ber 24, 1862. 

FRANK DUNBAR — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at Fair 
Oaks, May 31, 1862. Discharged for disability December 30, 
1862. 

ALPHEUUS FRY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Deserted from 
hospital in Philadelphia, December, 1863. Returned for duty 
February 14, 1864. Wounded at North Anna, May 23, 1864. 
Absent wounded at muster out. 

JACOB FRY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at Nelson's 
Farm, Va., June 30, 1862. Mustered out with company. 

JAMES FAIR — Mustered in August 1, 18 61. Re-enlisted. Veteran 
Volunteer. Transferred to Company D, One Hundred and Fifth 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since the war. 

DAVID FREE — Mustered in . Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, February 11, 1863. Died since the war. 

PETER GEIGER — Mustered in August 1, 18 61. Wounded June 18, 
1864. Mustered out with company. Died May 19, 1900, at 
Suterville, Pa. 

HENRY T. GATERMAN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died in 
hospital at Philadelphia, August 24, 1862. 

HENRY GARDNER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, September 13, 1862. Died since the war. 

WASHINGTON GEER— Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged 
on surgeon's certificate, February 20, 1863. Died since the 
war. 

LAWSON GREEN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, February 17, 1864. Died since the war. 

MICHAEL HAYMAKER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Served as 
clerk in Brigade Quartermaster's department. Mustered out 
with company. Died January 28, 1901, at Murraysville, Pa. 
Buried Cross Roads churchyard, Monreoville, Pa. 

ABRAHAM HEISLBY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Absent on 
detached sei-vice at muster out. 

JAMES HARE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Veteran Volunteer. 
Ti-ansferred to Company D, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, 
Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since the war. 

SAMUEL HAMILTON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, September 2.j, 1862. Died since the war. 

CHRISTIAN HALTZHOUSE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Taken 
prisoner and died in Andersonville prison, September 18, 1864. 
Grave 9123. 



294 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

THOMAS H ADDON — Mustered in August 1, 18 61. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, March 28, 1862. 

JAMES HUTTON— Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died of typhoid 
fever at Fair Oaks, June 7, 1862. 

FRANK HOFFMAN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, December 2, 1862. Died since the war. 

MATHIAS HISSEY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Missing in action 
August 2 9, 1862. 

WILLIAM W. HAYS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Veteran Volun- 
teer. Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps December 9, 1863. 
Died since the war. 

JOHN H. HOLLY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863. Died from effects of wound May 
24, 1863. 

PETER HAMMIL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Vs'ouuded at Fair 
Oaks, May 31, 1862. Deserted October 20, 1862. 

JONATHAN JAMISON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862. Re-enlisted, Veteran Volunteer. 
Transferred to Company D, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, 
Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since the war. 

THOMAS KENNEY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, December 21, 1S61. Died February 14, 
1907, at National Military Home, Ohio, and buried there. 

CYRUS KUNKLE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, February 14, 1863. Died since the war. 

ROBERT J. LINTON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at Fair 
Oaks, May 31, 1862. 

JOHN LEHMIRE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died November 8, 
1862. Buried Military Asylum cemetery, Washington, D. C. 

DAVID B. LUDWICK — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at Nel- 
son's Farm, June 30, 1862. 

AARON LINDERMAN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died Decem- 
ber 15, 1863, of wounds received at Mine Run, Va., November 
26, 1863. Buried National cemetery, Alexandria, Va. Grave 
1198. 

NATHANIEL DOWRY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at Fair 
Oaks, May 31, 1862. 

MATHEW MITCHELL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged 
November 19, 1861, by order of Dr. Crawford. Died since the 
war. 

JAMES MAXWELL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at Fair 
Oaks, May 31, 1862. 

JAMES MILES — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, September 17, 1862. 

THOMAS A MILLER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Transferred to 
Veteran Reserve Corps September 1, 1863. Died since the war. 

HENRY MOFFITT — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged 
December 12, 1862, for wounds received at Fair Oaks, May 31, 
18 62. Died since the war. 

JOSEPH W. MORRIS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged 
on surgeon's certificate, May 11, 1863. Died since the war. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 295 

WILMER W. MORRIS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Bull Run, August 29, 1862. Discharged November 21, 1862, on 
account of wounds. Died Penn township, near Pittsburgh, Pa., 
January 17, 1908. 

JAMES McATEE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at Second 
Bull Run, August 29, 1862. Veteran Volunteer. Transferred 
to Company D, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Re-enlisted in Eighteenth Regulars, and served 
three years in Texas. 

JAMES K. P. McCULLOUGH — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Veteran 
Volunteer. Transferred to Company D, One Hundred and Fifth 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since the war. 

IRWIN McCUTCHEON — Mustered in August *1, 1861. Veteran 
Volunteer. Transferred to Company D, One Hundred and Fifth 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

AVILLIAM McKELVEY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Veteran 
Volunteer. Transferred to Company D, One Hundred and Fifth 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since the war. 

SAMUEL McNEAL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at Peters- 
burg, June 22, 1864. Veteran Volunteer. 

J. S. McFADDEN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Assistant Surgeon. 
Resigned June 17, 1862. Died since the war. 

JOHN McCUNE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died in hospital at 
Annapolis, May 6, 1862. 

JOHN McTAGGERT — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at Fair 
Oaks, May 31, 1862. 

DAVID PARRY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died of fever Feb- 
ruary 4, 1863. 

JOHN A RYAN — Mustered in . Discharged on 

surgeon's certificate, February 28, 1863. Died since the war. 

MARTIN SCOTT — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Captured and sent 
to Libby Prison. Wounded at Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 
1862. Mustered out with company. Died January 23, 1896, at 
Pittsburgh. 

SAMUEL H. STOUT — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862. Absent sick at muster out. 

GEORGE \V. SMITH — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Veteran Volun- 
teer. Transferred to Company D, One Hundred and Fifth Regi- 
ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since the war. 

FREDERICK SALLADAY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at 
Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862. 

HARRY SHAEFFER— Mustered in August J, 1861. Died of typhoid 
fever at Fair Oaks, May, 1862. 

FREDERICK SCHILLING — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at 
Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862. 

JAMES R. TROUT — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at Fair 
Oaks, May 31, 1862. Discharged October 3, 1863, on account 
of wounds. 

JOSEPH M. THOMPSON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at 
Yorktown, April H, 1862. First man killed in the company. 

W. DALLAS TROUT — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, October 29, 1862. 



2 96 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

HENRY I. TOMER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at Fair 
Oaks, May 31, 1862. Discharged for disability September 20, 
1862. Died since the war. 

SAMUEL H. WHITE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Fair Oalts, May 31, 1862. Mustered out with company. Died 
since the war. 

JOSEPH W3LF0RD — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Veteran Volun- 
teer. Transferred to Company D, One Hundred and Fifth Regi- 
ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

JOHN L. WARD — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, December 7, 1863. 

LOUIS A. WEST — Mustered in August 1, 18 61. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, December 7, 1863. Re-enlisted September 13, 
1864, in Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry. 

JOHNSON WILSON- — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at Fair 
Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. 

WILLIAM WILSON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at Fair 
Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. Discharged November 2 5, 1862, to 
enlist in Regular Army. Died since the war. 

JOSEPH YOUNG — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died at Chesepeake 
Hospital, 1862. 

YENNY YOST — Mustered in August 1, 18 61. Disappeared while the 
company lay at Fortress Monroe and was never heard of after- 
ward. 

RECRUITS. 

JOHN BULGER — Mustered in February 24, 1864. Transferred to 

Company D, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 

Volunteers. Died since the war. 
ELI R. DOWLER — Mustered in August 1, 1862. Transferred to 

Signal Corps. 
JOHN H. DEMPSEY — Mustered in February 27, 1864. Wounded at 

Wilderness, May 6, 1864; taken prisoner and died in Richmond, 

July 10, 1864. 

FRANCIS DAVIS — Mustered in February 22, 1864. Transferred to 
Company D, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 

THOMAS DAVIS — Mustered in February 22, 1864. Transferred to 
Company D, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 

SAMUEL FREE — Mustered in February 2 7, 1864. Transferred to 
Company D, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 

GEORGE HOLLBNBECK — Mustered in September 30, 1862. Trans- 
ferred to Company D, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers. 

ANDREW MILLER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at 
Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863. 

JAMES MURPHY — Mustered in August 7. 18 62. Transferred to 
Company D, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 297 

W. J. McClelland — Mustered in February IS, 1864. Killed at 
Petersburg, June 16, 1864. 

SAMUEL PAINTER — Mustered in February 29, 1864. Died at 
Andersonville Prison, July 17, 1864. Buried National cemetery 
there, grave 3445. 

ROBERT SHULL — Mustered in August 19, 1862. Transferred to 
Company D, One Hundred an.i Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 

SAMUEL K. SHIPLEY— Mustered in September 4, 1863. Substitute. 
Wounded at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. 

ROBERT W. SCOTT — Mustered in February 10, 18 64. Promoted to 
Corporal. Wounded at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1862. Trans- 
ferred to Company D, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers. 

JOHN BICKERTON — Drafted July 16, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany D, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Died since the war. 

JOHN BECKER — Drafted September 7, 18 63. Wounded at the 
Wilderness, May 6, 1864. Transferred to Company D, One Hun- 
dred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since 
the war. 

OLIVER P. BOYD — Drafted July 11, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany D, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Died since the war. 

ROBERT BARR^Mustered in . Missing at 

Wilderness, May 7, 1864. 

F. W. DIEHL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Taken prisoner and 
died at Andersonville Prison, August 17, 1864. Buried National 
cemetery there. Grave 6017. 

MATHEW EAGLESON — Drafted July 11, 1863. Transferred to 
Company D, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 

JOHN FLEMING — Transferred to Company D, One Hundred and 
Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since the war. 

E. N. FUNK — Mustered in Augirst 1, 1861. Killed at North Anna, 
Va., May 23, 1864. Buried (as C. H. Frank) National ceme- 
tery, Fredericksburg, Va. Grave 3620. 

JAMES GRACBY — Drafted July 11, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany D, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Died since the war. 

J. W. LEECH — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at the Wilder- 
ness, May 6, 1864. 

HENRY MARQUETTE — Drafted September 4, 1863. Transferred to 
Company D, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 

CORNELIUS McOOY — Drafted September 10, 1863. Wounded and 
captured at Spottsvlvania, Va., May 12, 1864. Died at Rich- 
mond, Va., July 23, 1864. 

HERMAN SNEAR — Drafted September 4, 1863. Transferred to 
Company D, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment. Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 



2 98 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

GEORGE J. STILES — Drafted September 4, 1863. Transferred to 
Company D, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 

HARVEY D. THOMPSON — Drafted July 15, 1863. Transferred to 
Company D, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. 

HENRY B. WHITE — Drafted July 11, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany D, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Died since the war. 

SAMUEL CABLE — Mustered in February 12, 1864. Transferred to 
Company B, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 

ALFRED CABLE — Mustered in February 12. 1864. Transferred to 

Company B, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 

Volunteers. Died since the war. 
GEORGE MORRISON — Wounded May 6, 1864, at Wilderness, Va. 
R. H. GLENN — Mustered in February 27, 1864. Transferred to 

Company B, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 

Volunteers. Died since the war. 
JOHN HUCK — Mustered in February 27, 1864. Transferred to 

Company H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 

Volunteers. Died since the war. 
DAVID McGIBBON — Not on muster-out roll. 

RECAPITULATION. 

Killed 20 

Died from wounds 6 

Died in rebel prisons 6 

Died of disease 9 

Discharged on account of wounds and disability 32 

Deserted 4 

Re-enlisted and transfered to other regiments. . 48 

Dismissed from service 2 

Resigned 1 

Mustered out with company 22 



Total enrolled 150 

Wounded in action 36 



HISTORY OF COMPANY B. 



Organized in the early part of August, 18G1. It was composed of 
what was known as the Collier Guards, of Sharpsburg, a military 
organization which had done considerable drilling previous to enlist- 
ment, and a couple of squads of men from Deer Creek and Fairview, 
under command of Wm. S. Kirkwood, of the latter place. The first 
commissioned officers were Captain Wm. S. Kirkwood, afterward pro- 
moted to major, lieutenant colonel and colonel, and who died June 
25, 1863, from wounds received at Chancellorsville. 

First lieutenant, Timothy L. Maynard, a school principal, who lost 
his life at Kelly's Ford, on November 7, 1863. 

Second lieutenant, S. P. Taylor, who resigned on June 5, 1862. 

About the middle of August the company was placed in Camp 
Wilkins, the old fair grounds in Pittsburgh, where it remained until 
August 26th, when, with a number of others, it left the camp on a 
beautiful evening, marched down Liberty street, Pittsburgh, and 
embarked on cars and, amid cheers of citizens and tearful farewells 
of friends and relatives, they left home for' the front. The company 
arrived at Washington on August 28th and camped a short distance 
outside the city limits. 

Their first camp was known as Camp Sprague. On September 28th 
they crossed the Potomac and, landing at Alexandria, marched about 
two miles out the Leesburg Pike, where they encamped at what was 
known as Camp Shields. 

On October 14th they again moved, going across Hunting Creek to 
the farm of James Mason, on the Mount Vernon Road, and went 
into winter quarters at Camp Johnston, where they remained until 
March 17, 1862, when they embarked on transports for Fortress 
Monroe, where they began the memorable Peninsula campaign. 

Company B made for itself a reputation of which it may feel 
justly proud. Only two of its officers resigned during its three years 
of service, and one of them only did so when he found that he was 
unable any longer to serve on account of the severe wound he 
received in battle, and which had rendered him unfit for any active 
service. Only four men deserted, and two of them were conscripts. 
The company was celebrated for its good discipline and the friendly 
feeling existing between the officers and private soldiers. Very sel- 
dom were the officers compelled to punish any of the men for dere- 
liction of duty. 



300 JNDBR THE RED PATCH 

When the company was fully organized, it consisted of the follow- 
ing officers and enlisted men: 

WILLIAM S. KIRKWOOD, Captain — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Commanded the company until June 19, 1862, when he was pro- 
moted to Major; to Lieutenant Colonel on September 24, 1862, 
and to Colonel April 18, 1863. Wounded at the Battle of Sec- 
ond Bull Run, August 29, 1862, and May 3, 1863, at Chancel- 
lorsville, received a fatal wound. Taken to Alexandria, Va., 
where he died in the hospital on June 25, 1863, and was buried 
at Fairview, Pa. 

TIMOTHY L. MAYNARD, First Lieutenant — Mustered in August 1, 
1861. Promoted to Captain June 19, 1862; wounded at Fair 
Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. November 7, 1863, he received 
wounds at the Battle of Kelly's Ford, which terminated his life. 
At the time of his death he was acting Commissary of Subsist- 
ence of the First Brigade, also A. A. D. C. 

S. P. TAYLOR, Second Lieutenant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Resigned June 5, 1862. 

JAMES S. POWERS, First Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
First Sergeant of the company until June 3, 1862, when he was 
promoted to Second Lieutenant, and on June 19, 1862, was pro- 
moted to First Lieutenant. Severely wounded at Battle of 
Nelson's Farm, June 30, 1862, and on account of his wounds 
was compelled to resign. Died since the war at Turtle Creek, 
Pennsylvania. 

ROBERT A. NESBIT, Second Sergeant— Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Promoted to Second Lieutenant, June 19, 1862; to First Lieu- 
tenant, May 19, 1863; and to Captain, January 3, 1864. On 
account of Captain Maynard being on staff and recruiting ser- 
vice, the company was under direct command of Nesbit from 
June 30, 1862, until it was mustered out of service, August 7, 
1864. Wounded in the breast at the Battle of the Wilderness 
May 5, 1864. 

JAMES HINES, Third Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Pro- 
moted to Second Sergeant June 3, 1862. Wounded at Second 
Battle of Bull Run, August 31, 1862, and discharged January 
18, 1863, on account of wounds received. 

EDWARD T. SAINT, Fourth Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Promoted to Third Sergeant June 3, 1862, and to First Sergeant 
June 19, 18,62. Severely wounded at Second Bull Run, August 
29, 1862, and discharged October 30, 1862, on account of 
wounds. 

JOHN S. STEVENSON, Fifth Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Promoted to Fourth Sergeant, June 3, 1863; to Third Sergeant, 
June 19, 1862; to Second Sergeant, August 3, 1862, and to 
Second Lieutenant, May 19, 1863. Detailed as Brigade 
Ambulance Officer by General Birney, February 11, 1864. Mus- 
tered out with regiment. Died in Wilkinsburg since the war. 

DAVID STRACHAN, First Corporal — Mustere'd in August 1, 1861. 
Promoted to Fifth Sergeant, June 4, 1862; to Fourth Sergeant, 
June 19, 1862; to First Sergeant, August 3, 1862, and to First 
Lieutenant, March 10, 1864. Wounded at the Wilderness, May 
5, 1864, from the effects of which he died June 6. 1864; buried 
in National cemetery, Arlington, Va. Grave 5207. 




CAPTAIN ROBERT A. NESBIT, COMPANY B. 

Typical condition of uniform and equipment of a captain of 
infantry commanding a company on march in active service, ready 
for instant action, carrying bed (roll blanket), five days' rations in 
haversack, coffee cup, sword, revolver, and necessary company papers. 



STORY OP THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 301 

JOHN L. HAYS, Second Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Promoted to First Corporal, June 3, 1862; to Fifth Sergeant, 
June 19, 1862; to Third Sergeant, 1863. Wounded at the 
Wilderness May 5, 1S64. Mustered out with company. 

ANDREW P. McCLARY, Third Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 
1861. Promoted to Second Corporal June 3, 1862. Mortally 
wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg, July 2, 1863, and buried 
in National cemetery there. 

HUGH SAIITH, Fourth Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Promoted to Third Corporal June 3, 1862. Wounded at Chancel- 
lorsville, Va., May 3, 18G3. Discharged from service by civil 
authority. 

JOHN WILLIAMS, Fifth Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Promoted K) Fourth Corporal, June 3, 18'62; to Third Corporal, 
August 4, 1862, and to Fifth Sergeant, December 10, 1862. 
Wounded at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Died since the war. 

WILLIAM McCUTCHBON, Sixth Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 
1861. Promoted to Fifth Corporal, June 3, 1862, and to Fourth 
Corporal, June 19, 1862. Discharged from service December 
10, 1862, on account of wounds received at Nelson's Farm, June 
30, 1862. 

ANDREW RIHN, Seventh Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Promoted to Sixth Corporal June 3, 1862. Wounded at the 
Battle of Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862. Deserted from hospital in 
Philadelphia and dropped from roll 'October 20, 1862. 

WILLIAM J. DRAHER, Eighth Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 
1861. Promoted to Seventh Corporal, June 3, 1862; to Sixth 
Corporal, June 19, 1862; to First Corporal, August 10, 1862, 
and to Fifth Sergeant, June 10, 1864. Wounded at Spottsyl- 
vania, Va., May 10, 1864. Mustered but with company. Died 
at Allegheny, Pa., March 31, 1902. 

REESE PARKER, Musician — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Pro- 
moted to Fife Major, January, 1863. Mustered out with com- 
pany. Died since the war. 

WILLIAM HEADGRESS, Musician — ?<Iustere'd in August 1, 1861. 
Discharged by surgeon's certificate of disability. Died since the 
war. 

JOHN M. GIVEN, Teamster — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Dis- 
charged on account of disability. Died since the war. 

PRIVATES. 

ROBERT C. BLACK — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Detailed with 
Regimental Commissary. Mustered out with company. 

WILLIAM T. BLACK — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Was wounded. 
Mustered out with company. 

WILLIAM BAKER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded; dis- 
charged on acount of wound. Died after the war. 

DANIEL BAKER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
account of wounds, September, 1862. 

BENJAMIN F. BUTTERFIELD — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Detailed as clerk for Brigade Quartermaster. Mustered out 
with company. 



302 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

JOHN BAIRD — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to Corporal; 
Veteran Volunteer; detailed as division provost guard by special 
order by General Birney; wounded at Nelson's Farm, Va., June 
30, 1862; severely wounded at Chaucellorsville, May 3, 1863; 
transferred to Company B, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, 
Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

LESLIE CRANER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Veteran Volun- 
teer; musician; transferred to Company B, One Hundred and 
Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since the war. 

ANTHONY COLLIER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Detailed to 
Beam's Battery, First New Jersey Artillery, September 10, 1862, 
by order of General Heintzelman. Wounded at Gettysburg, 
Pa., July 3, 1863. 

WILLIAM CLARK — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged Feb- 
ruary 18, 1863, on account of wounds received at the Second 
Battle of Bull Run, August 29, 1862. Died since the war. 

JOHN A. CAMPBELL— Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged 
June 16, 1863, on account of wounds received at Chaucellors- 
ville, May 3, 1863. Died 1899. 

DAVID CAMPBELL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged 
December 6, 1861, for disability. Died since the war. 

JOSEPH CLOWES — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to Cor- 
poral March 10, 1862. Wounded at Nelson's Farm, Va., June 
30, 1862; mustered out with company. 

SAMUEL CLOWES — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died at Camp 
Johnston, December 6, 1861, of typhoid fever. 

AMOS COSS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, 1862. 

WILLIAM COSS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, December 28, 1862. 

GEORGE CLELAND — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Detailed as 
Brigade teamster; mustered out with company. 

GEORGE DUPHORN— Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862. Mustered out with company. 

GEORGE DUNCAN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862. Discharged September 10, 1863, on 
account of wounds. 

JOHN DOLLHAMMER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged 
on account of wounds received at Malvern Hill, July 1, 1862. 
Died since the war. 

GEORGE M. DRAHER — Mustered in August 1, 18 61. Mustered out 
with company. Died Allegheny, Pa., June 28, 1907. 

JOHN EVANS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to Corporal 
July 31, 1862; severely wounded at Chaucellorsville, May 3, 
1863. Mustered out with company. 

MICHAEL FERGUSON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
account of wounds received at Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862. Died 
since the war. 

SAMUEL GILL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Missing at the Battle 
of Nelson's Farm, June 30, 1862; supposed to have been killed. 

DANIEL GRUBBS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Lost an arm at 
Gettysburg, July 2, 1863; transferred to Second Battalion, 
Invalid Corps, December 4, 1863. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 303 

JOSEPH GRUBBS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Detailed as 
Brigade blacksmith. Mustered out with company. 

SAMUEL HENRY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Appointed Eighth 
Corporal, June 3, 1863: Seventh Corporal, June 19, 1862; after- 
wards promoted Second Corporal. Mustered out with company. 
Died at Beaver, Pa., March 11, 1901. 

GEORGE F. HOUSE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to 
Color Sergeant of the Regiment, May 3, 1863. Wounded at 
Wilderness, May 5, 1864, while carrying colors. Mustered out 
with company. 

GEORGE IRWIN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died of wounds 
received at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863. 

WILLIAM IRWIN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out with 
the company. Died since the war. 

ALFRED H. JONES — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863; absent wounded at muster out. 
Died May 26, 1907, at Pittsburgh, Pa. 

EVAN JONES — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate. 

ALFRED F. JONES — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Taken prisoner 
at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863, and afterwards discharged on 
surgeon's certificate. 

JAMES M. JOHNSTON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Detailed as 
Brigade saddler; discharged on surgeon's certificate, February 
20, 18G2. 

WILLIAM JESSUP — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, February 19, 18 63. Died since the war. 

JACOB KLEINFELTER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged 
in 1863 on surgeon's certificate. Died since the war. 

CHARLES KING — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to 
Seventh Corporal, September, 1863, and to Sixth Corporal, April 
1, 1864. Veteran Volunteer. Transferred to Company B, One 
Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died 
since the war. 

NICHOLAS KLEIN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate. Died since the war. 

PETER KIEL- — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Drummer; discharged 
September, 1862, by order of the Secretary of War, on account 
of vouth. Died Pittsburgh, Pa., November 27, 1905. Composer 
of "The Bully Old Sixty-third." 

JAMES C. KENNEDY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged 
for disability in 1862. 

GOTTLEIB LUNDERSTATT — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Dis- 
charged by civil authority as a minor, July 3, 1863. Died since 
the war. 

JOEL LOVERAGE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, February, 1862. 

HARMAR D. LAWSON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to 
Corporal in 1862, and reduced to the ranks November 21, 1863. 
Mustered out with comjiany. Died Fel)ruary 10, 19013, at Pitts- 
burgh. 



304 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

JOHN LEFEVER — Mustered in August 1, 1862. Promoted to Third 
Corporal, August, 1862; to Fifth Sergeant, October 9, 1862; and 
to Fourth Sergeant, December 10, 1862. Died 1866. 

JACOB LONABAUGK— Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to 
Regimental Commissary Sergeant. Veteran Volunteer. Trans- 
ferred to One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died August 12, 1899. 

WILLIAM LAFEVER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded and 
taken prisoner at Malvern Hill, Va., July 1, 1862; afterwards 
idischarged on account of wounds. Re-enlisted in Heavy Artil- 
lery. Died August 19, 1904, at Livermore, Pa. 

JAMES McROBERTS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Taken prisoner 
at hospital at Savage Station, June 30, 1862. Died of fever 
while a prisoner at Belle Isle, near Richmond, Va., about Decem- 
ber 28, 1862. 

JAMES McCONNAHA — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Veteran 
Volunteer. Transferred to Company B, One Hundred and Fifth 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

BENJAMIN MILHEIZLER, SR.^ — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Detailed to Ambulance Corps. Mustered out with company. 
Died since the war. 

BENJAMIN MILHEIZLER, JR. — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Wounded at Nelson's Farm, June 30, 1862; discharged on 
account of wounds. Died after his return. 

RICHARD McCONNELL — jMustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged 
on account of wounds received at Nelson's Farm, June 30, 1862. 
Died since the war. 

THOMAS McWILLIAMS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died of 
wounds received at Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862. 

HUGH McAFEE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate in 1862. 

EDWARD E. McCORKLE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Vv'ounded 
at Nelson's Farm, Va., June 30, 1862, and at Gettysburg, July 
2, 1863. Mustered out with company. Re-enlisted in Company 
D, Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

WILLIAM H. McCLARREN — Mustered in August 1, 18 61. Pro- 
moted to Fifth Corporal. Mustered out with company. Died 
since the war. 

JAMES McCLARREN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. 

ROBERT McPHERSQN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died from 
wounds -received at Nelson's Farm, June 30, 1862. 

JOHN G. MAEDER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate. 

JOHN MEYERS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Severely wounded 
at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863; transferred to Second Bat- 
talion Invalid Corps, December 1, 1863. Mustered out with 
company. 

CHARLES McDADE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863. Transferred to Second Battalion 
Invalid Corps, December 1, 1863. Mustered out with company. 
Died since the war. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 305 

HENRY MOYES — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died of fever while 
a prisoner returning from Richmond, August, 1862. 

JOHN MOYLE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Appointed Eighth 
Corporal, January 8, 1863. Wounded at Fair Oaks, at Orange 
Grove, and severely wounded at Chancellorsville from the effects 
of which he died after the war. 

WILSON McCAULEY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died of fever 
in hospital at Philadelphia, August 20, 1862. 

MATTHEW T. MURRAY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered 
out with company. 

ROBERT M. MORTON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to 
Sergeant Major, July 3, 1863. Mustered out with company. 

WILLIAM McMUNN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died in hos- 
pital at Baltimore, Md., from effects of wound received at 
Nelson's Farm, June 30, 1862. 

WILLIAM MOONEY — Mustered in August 1, 1881. Mustered out 
with company. Died since the war. 

JAMES McCUTCHEON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. 

JAMES PORTER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out with 
company. Died since the war. 

ISAAC RHODES — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged for dis- 
ability August 8, 1862. Died since the war. 

BENJAMIN RAMSEY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Lost an arm 
in battle. Promoted to Eighth Corporal. Transferred to One 
Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

WILLIAM SPRINGER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Petersburg, Va. Mustered out with company. 

JOSEPH SERGENSON— Mustered in August 1, 1861. Left the 
company without leave at the Battle of Fredericksburg, Va., 
December 14, 1862. 

Vv'ILLIAM SMITH — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died while a 
prisoner at Savage Station, July 10, 1862, from wounds received 
at Nelson's Farm, June 30, 1862. 

JOHN W. SMITH — Mustered in August. 1, 1861. Transferred to 
Invalid Corps on account of wound. Mustered out with com- 
pany. 

JOHN SOLES — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged in 1862 
for disability. Died April o, 1904, at Braddock, Pa. Buried 
Versailles cemetery. 

WILLIAM TEPFBR — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
account of wounds received at Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862. Died 
since the war. 

WILLIAM D. THOMPSON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Dis- 
charged for disability, November 3, 1SG2. Died April 12, 1906, 
at Pittsburgh. 

JOHN TRENT — Mustered in August 1. 1861. Discharged on afcount 
of severe wounds received at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864. 
Veteran Volunteer. Died since the war. 

JOHN TRUBY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Detached with Beams 
Battery, First New Jersey Artillery, September 10, 1862. Died 
since the war. 



306 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

JOHN TRAX — Mustered in August 1, 1S61. Discharged on account 
of wounds received at Second Bull Run, August 29, 1862. Died 
since the war. 

WILLIAM TAPPEY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate. Died since the war. 

PHILIP THOMAS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Missing at the 
Battle of Nelson's Farm, June 30, 1862. Supposed to have been 
killed. 

WILLIAM McCRUM WILLS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Dis- 
charged for disability, February 11, 1862. Died since the war. 

CYRUS WILLS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Severely wounded 
and left on field of Battle of Second Bull Run, August 29, 1862. 
Supposed to be dead. 

ROBERT WILSON — Mustered in August 1, 18 61. Discharged for 
disability, 1862. Died since the war. 

JAMES WILSON — Mustered in August 1, 18 61. Discharged for 
disability, December 10, 1862. Died since the war. 

ALEX WEICHEL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to 
Seventh Corporal, July, 1863. Killed by a shell at Gettysburg, 
July 2, 1863. First man killed in Sherfy's Peach Orchard. 

JOHN WOLF — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out with 
company. Died 1899. 

SHADRACH WILLIAMS — Mustersd in August 1, 1861. Detailed as 
Orderly for Brigade Quartermaster. Mustered out with com- 
pany. Died since the war. 

RECRUITS. 

WILLIAM A. SCOTT— Mustered in February 24, 1864. Was never 
with company. Not on muster-out roll. 

ROBERT J. McOORKLE — Mustered in June 16, 1863. Discharged 
September 2 8, 1863, on surgeon's certificate. 

WILLIAM R. STEVENSON — Mustered in February 16, 1864. Miss- 
ing at the Battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 18 64. 

JOSEPH TITUS — Mustered in February 9, 1864. Missing in action 
at North Ann River, May 23, 1864. 

JAMES McMULLEN — Mustered in February 12, 18 64. Transferred 
to Company B, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. 

ANER B. HULL — Mustered in January 13, 1864. Died of small- 
pox May 18, 1864. Buried at National cemetery, Arlington, 
Va. Grave 10747. 

JOSEPH LAWHEART — Mustered in March 28, 1864. Absent 
wounded at muster out. Died since the war. 

BURGHART GARROUSE — Mustered in February 9, 1864. Died of 
wounds received in the Wilderness, May 6, 1864. Eleven minnie 
balls passing through his body. 

SAMUEL CABLE — Mustered in April 21, 1864. 

ALFRED CABLE — Mustered in April 22, 1864. 

CONSCRIPTS. 

DAVID ASHTON — Drafted July 16, 1863: missing at the Wilder- 
ness, May 7, 1864. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 307 

LEVI AYERS — Drafted July IS, 1863. Transferred to One Hun- 
dred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

DANIEL BAILEY — Drafted July 18, 1863. Died of smallpox at 
Fredericksburg, May 1.5, 1864. 

JOHN BOGER — Drafted July 16, 1863. Absent wounded. Died 
since the war. 

SAMUEL CASSADY — Drafted July 16, 1863. Absent wounded. 
Died since the war. 

ALEX. G. DIES — Drafted July 17, 1863. Died since the war. 

LEVI CLAYPOOLE — Drafted July 17, 1863. Died in Regimental 
hospital, near Brandy Station, January 1, 1864. Buried National 
cemetery, Culpepper, Va. Grave 351. 

JOHN DARBY — Drafted July 16, 1863. Died since the war. 

JACOB W. EYMAN — Drafted July 7, 1863. Deserted at Brandy 
Station, April 21, 1864. 

CALVIN ECHINGER — Drafted July 18, 18 63. Absent wounded at 
muster out. Died since the war. 

DANIEL GEARHEART — Drafted July 11, 1863. Absent wounded 
at muster out. Died since the war. 

SAMUEL HINES — Drafted September 9, 1863. Absent wounded 
at muster out. Died since the war. 

ISAAC HORR — Drafted July 16, 1863. Absent wounded at muster 
out. Died since the war. 

DAVID LANKER — Drafted September 9, 1863. Absent wounded 
at muster out. Died since the war. 

WILLIAM MILLIGAN — Drafted July 18, 1863; detailed as wagon 
guard. Died since the war. 

WILLIAM OLLINGER — Drafted July 18, 1863. Absent sick at 
muster out. Died since the war. 

PHILIP REESMAN — Drafted July 18, 1863. Died since the war. 

CORNELIUS W. SMALLMAN — Drafted July 13, 1863. Died in rebel 
prison at Andersonville, October 10, 1864. Buried National 
cemetery there, grave No. 10720. 

GEORGE SHICK — Drafted September 9, 1863. Absent wounded at 
muster out. 

JACOB SHRECKENGOST — Drafted July 18, 1863. Deserted from 
hospital at York, Pa., June 3, 1864. 

JACKSON SHRECKENGOST — Drafted July 18, 1863. Died since 
the war. 

HENRY SHRECENGOST — Drafted July 18, 1863. Died of wounds 
received in the Wilderness, May 5, 1864. 

WILLIAM STEWART— Drafted July 16, 1863. Deserted October 13, 
1863. 



308 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

RECAPITULATION. 

Number of officers and men at formation of 

company 109 

Number of recruits received 8 

Number of conscripts 23 



Total 140 

Killed in battle and died of wounds 25 

Discharged on account of wounds and disability 36 

Died of disease 7 

Deserted 4 

Transferred to other regiments, Veteran Volun- 
teers 18 

Officers resigned 2 

Discharged by civil authority 2 

Discharged by order of Secretary of V/ar 1 

Absent sick and wounded -11 

Mustered out with company 34 

Total 140 

Wounded during service 69 



^^ MO 
lo '-' rh 1^ 




HISTORY OF COMPANY C. 



Company C was organized in New Brigliton, Beaver county, in 
the early part of August, 1861. Afcer completion of organization 
tlie company left New Brighton for Pittsburgh, Pa., amidst a large 
delegation of prominent citizens; fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, 
wives and sweethearts bidding a sad farewell to their loved ones. 

After arriving in Pittsburgh, the company went into camp at 
Camp Wilkins. In a short time orders were received that all the 
men should be sent to Washington, D. C. Accordingly, on the 26th 
of August, two companies, under command of Captains Berringer and 
Kirkwood, and several squads temporarily organized in two addi- 
tional companies, in all about four hundred men, including Company 
C, proceeded by rail to the National Capitol without arms, uniforms, 
or equipments. 

During the early part of September, 1861, a sufficient number of 
men had arrived in camp to complete a regiment, and toward the 
close of the month were transferred to Washington, where they 
joined the battalion which had preceded them.. Their first camp was 
known as Camp Sprague. On September 28th they crossed the 
Potomac, and landing at Alexandria, Virginia, marched about two 
miles out the Leesburg Pike, where they encamped at what was 
known as Camp Shields. On October 14th they again moved, going 
across Hunting Creek to the farm of James Mason, on the Mount 
Vernon Road, and into winter quarters at Camp Johnston. From 
there they embarked on transports for Fortress Monroe, and began 
the memorable Peninsular campaign, followed with subsequent cam- 
paigns to the expiration of their term of service, September, 1864. 

When the company was fully organized it consisted of the follow- 
ing officers and enlisted men: 

JASON R. HANNA, Captain — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Resigned 
June 1.5, 18G2. After his return he was promoted to Lieutenant 
Colonel of the Fourteenth Pennsylvania Militia. Died at Bland- 
ford, Mass., September 6, 1868. Buried at Westfield, Mass. 

CHARLES W. TAYLOR, Captain — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Pro- 
moted from Second Lieutenant to Captain, July 26, 1862. Dis- 
charged July 26, 1862. Died since the war. 

GE)3RGE W. GRAY, Captain — Mustered in September 12, 1861. 
Promoted from First Lieutenant of Company I to Captain Com- 
I)any C, July 26, 1862. Resigned November 10, 1862. Died 
since the war. 



310 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

GEORGE W. WEAVER, Captain — Mustered in August 1, 1S61. 
Promoted to First Sergeant, March 2, 1862; to Second Lieuten- 
ant, June 16, 1862; to Captain, February 27, 1863. Mustered 
out with comp'any. Died since the war at Vanport, Pa. 

JOSEPH A. SHONLOW, First Lieutenant — Mustered in August 1, 
1861. Resigned February 12, 1862. Died since the war. 

JAMES S. WILSON, Lieutenant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Promoted from private to Sergeant; to First Lieutenant, Sep- 
tember 1, 18 63. Wounded at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864. 
Absent, in hospital wounded, at muster out. 

ROBERT DARRAGH, First Lieutenant — Mustered in August 23, 
1861. Promoted from Corporal to Sergeant, March 14, 1862; 
to First Lieutenant, June 16, 1862; discharged January 1, 1863. 
Died since the war. Buried at Beaver, Pa. 

GEORGE W. KITTENBUURG, Second Lieutenant — Mustered in 
August 23, 1861. Promoted to First Sergeant, February 27, 
1863; to Second Lieutenant, May 19, 1863. Mustered out with 
the company. Died since the war. 

HENRY KELLY, First Sergeant — Mustered in August 23, 18 61. 
Promoted to Corporal, March 12, 1862; to Sergeant, June, 1862; 
to First Sergeant, September 12, 18 63. Wounded at the Wilder- 
ness, May 5, 18 64. Absent in hospital at muster out. Died in 
Rochester, Pa., May 19, 1902, and buried Irvin's cemetery there. 

HENRY HURST, First Sergeant — Mustered in August 23, 1861. 
Killed at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. 

DAVID H. GIBSON, Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Pro- 
moted to Sergeant, September 1, 1863. Mustered out with 
company. Died May 25, 1900, at Marietta, Ohio. 

HENRY KITTENBURG, Sergeant — Mustered in August 2 3, 1861. 
Promoted to Sergeant, September 1, 1863. Wounded at 
Chancellorsville, Va., and taken prisoner May 3, 1863. Mus- 
tered out with company. Died since the war. 

RICHARD G. WARDEN, Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Re-enlisted. Veteran Volunteer. Wounded at the Wilderness, 
May 6, 1864. Transferred to Company C, One Hundred and 
Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Promoted to First 
Sergeant, Novenlber 1, 1864; to First Lieutenant, June 8, 1865. 
Died since the war at Brush Creek, Pa. 

MILO M. BOYLE, Second Lieutenant — Mustered in August 23, 1861. 
Killed at Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. 

FRANK L. GRAHAM, Sergeant — Mustered in August 23, 1861. 
Promoted to Corporal, June 16, 1862; to Sergeant, May 9, 1863. 
Died August 15, 1863, of wounds received at Wapping Heights, 
July 23, 1863. Buried Alilitary Asylum cemetery, Washington, 
D. C. Grave 4331. 

MATTHEW SHOPE, Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Pro- 
moted to Colonel, May 19, 1862; to Sergeant, May 29, 1863. 
Mustered out with company. Died since the war. 

DAVID LESSIG, Corporal — Mustered in August 23, 1861. Wounded 
at Wapping Heights, July 23, 1863. Mustered out with com- 
pany. Died at Terre Haute, Indiana, September 23, 1905, and 
buried in Highland cemetery there. 

JAMES R. TEMPLE, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mus- 
tered out with company. Died since the war at Sheffield, Pa. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 311 

SAMUEL L. FRIDIGER, Corporal — Mustered in August 2 3, 1861. 
Promoted to Corporal, May 14, 1862. Wounded at the Wilder- 
ness, Va., May 7, 1864. Absent wounded at muster out. 

SAMUEL HART, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted 
to Corporal, September 18. 1863. Wounded at Petersburg, Va., 
June 22, 1864. Absent wounded at muster out. Died at Brad- 
dock, Pa., August 14, 1899. 

JOSIAH KAPPLB, Corporal — Mustered in August 23, 1861. Pro- 
moted to Corporal, September 18, 1863. Wounded at the 
Wilderness, Va., May f), 1864. Absent wounded at muster out 
Died since the war at Beaver Falls, Pa. 

GEORGE WARDEN, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Pro- 
moted to Corporal. Re-enlisted January 4, 1864. Wounded at 
the Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Veteran Volunteer. Transferred 
to Company C, One Hlundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers, and to Veterans' Reserve Corps, December 28, 1864. 
Died December 2, 1907, at National Military Home, Kansas, and 
buried there. Grave 3314, section, 23, row 3. 

DANIEL STONE, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded 
at Second Bull Run, with loss of leg, August 29, 1862. Dis- 
charged on account of wounds. Died at Vanport, Pa., 1898. 

JOHN STONE, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at 
Second Bull Run, August 29, 1862. Buried in National ceme- 
tery, Arlington, Va., block 2, section E, row 15, grave 10,407. 
Was a brother of Daniel Stone, who lost his leg in the same 
battle. 

WILLIAM H. PATTERSON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died 
July 9, 1862. 

CHARLES CROSS, Musician — Mustered in August 1, 18 61. Trans- 
ferred to Company C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers. Veteran Volunteer. Died since the war. 

ANDREW STIDHAM, Musician — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Transferred to Company C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, 
Pennsylvania Volunteers. Veteran Volunteer. 

FRED. V. BEISEL, Musician — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Trans- 
ferred to Company D; date unknown. 

PRIVATES. 

JOHN ASHENBAUGH — Drafted July 17, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Died since the war. 

HENRY ALLEMAN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, November 19, 1861. Died since the war. 

JOSEPH B. ALEXANDER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded 
at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. Discharged on account of 
wounds, March 2, 1863. 

ROBERT ALLISON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, October 20, 1862. Died in 1903. 

THOMAS ANDREW — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, September 25, 1862. Died since the war. 

GEORGE A. BROWN — Drafted July 11, 1863. Wounded June 16, 
1864, in front of Petersburg, Va. Transferred to Company C, 
One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 



312 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

LEVI BUSH — Drafted September 1, 1863. Transferred to Company 

C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 
Died since the war. 

CHAS. L. BRG'OKS — Drafted September 9, 1863. Transferred to 
Company C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Discharged January 21, 1865, for wounds received 
in action September 4, 1864. Died since the war. 

DANIEL BOOSER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, March 8, 1862. Died since the war. 

ESAU BROAD — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, April 14, 1862. Died since the war. 

THOMAS BROOKS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, July 26, 1862. Died since the war. 

LOUIS BROAD — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, March 2 5, 1863. Died since the war. 

WILLIAM BLISS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at Bull 
Run, August 2 9, 1862, and died of wounds September 29, 
1862. Buried in the Military Asylura cemetery, Washington, 

D. C. Grave 1913. 

JOHN BAMMER — Drafted September 9, 1863. Captured at Spottsyl- 

vania Court House, May 12, 1864. Died since the war. 
SAMUEL BROWN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Transferred to 

Veteran Reserve Corps, November 11, 1863. Died since the 

war. 
JAMES CANNON — Mustered in August 23, 1861. Mustered out 

with company. Died since the war. 
GARRISON COALE — Mustered in August 23, 1861. Wounded at 

Second'Bull Run, August 29, 1862, and at Chancellorsville, Va., 

May 3, 18 63. Mustered out with company. 
GEORGE CASTLER— Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded June 

16, 1864, in front of Petersburg, Va. Absent wounded at 

muster out. Died since the war. 
WILLIAM CHILDS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 

Spottsylvania Court House, Va., May 12, 1864. Absent wounded 

at muster out. Died at Vanport, Beaver county, Pa., since the 

war. 
CRAIG CAMERY — Drafted July 13, 1863. Transferred to Company 

C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

Died since the war. 
JOHN C. CHURCH — Drafted July 11, 1863. Transferred to Company 

C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

Died since the war. 
LUKE CHAPMAN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died October 20, 

1862. 
JOHN CRAVEN — Mustered in August 1, 1S61. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, October 29, 1862. Died in 1875. 
SAMUEL DEPEW — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out with 

company. Died since the war. 

THOMAS DIMOND — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died January 22, 
1863. 

HENRY E. DAVIS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died at Annapolis, 
Md., June 11, 1864. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 313 

RICHARD T. DAVIS — Mustered in August 1, 1S61. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, November 7, 1862. 

JOSEPH DAVIS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, March IS, 1863. Died since the war. 

JAMES R. DAY — Drafted July 16, 1863. Transferred to Company 
C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

JAMES DEVINNEY — Drafted July 16, 1863. Captured June 22, 
1864. Transferred to Company C, One Hundred and Fifth Regi- 
ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since the war. 

ROBERT C. DOUDS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Transferred to 
Veteran Reserve Corps, November 11, 1863. Died March 21, 
1907, at Evans City, Pa., and buried there. 

ANDREW EICHER — Drafted July 16, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Transferred to Company D, February 26, 1864. Missing 
in action at Boydton Plank Road, Va., October 2 7, 1864. 

JAMES EARLEY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, November 19, 1861. Died since the war. 

ASA B. ECOFF — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at Fair 
Oaks, Va., May 31, 1863. Discharged on account of wounds. 

WILLIAM' H. FETTER, Musician — Mustered in February 27, 1864. 
Mustered September 10, 1861, in Company E, Third Battalion, 
Eighteenth U. S. Infantry. Discharged October 14, 1863, at 
Nashville, Tenn., by reason of illness. Mustered into Company 
C, Sixty-third Regiment, February 27, 1864, and transferred to 
Company C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Wounded in front of Petersburg, Va., June 19, 
1864. Veteran Volunteer. 

GEORGE D. FUNKHOUSER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Wounded at Second Bull Run, August 29, 1862. Re-enlisted. 
Transferred to Company C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, 
Pennsylvania Volunteers.. Veteran Volunteer. 

ORIN A. FRINK — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Deserted July 3, 
1862. 

THOMAS GARNER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. Killed on the P. & L. E. R. R. in 1896, and 
buried in Irvin's cemetery, Rochester, Pa. 

WILLIAM GARBENSTINE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered 
out with company. Died since the war. 

GEORGE W. GRAHAM — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Absent sick 
at muster out. 

GEORGE GIBSON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at Fair 
Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862, with loss of right leg. Discharged on 
account of wounds. Died in Pulaski township, Beaver county, 
Pa., April 15, 1901. Buried Grove cemetery, New Brighton, Pa. 

DAVID A. GLASS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged Decem- 
ber 29, 1862. Died at Richmond, Indiana, July 2, 1901, and 
buried in soldier's lot there. 

HENRY HESS- — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out with 
company. Died since the war. 

GEORGE W. HUNTER— Mustered in August 23, 1861. Absent sick 
at muster out. Died in St. Louis since the war. 



314 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

SAMUUEL HARRISON, SR.— Joined July 10, 1863. Wounded May 

26, 1864. Transferred to Company C, One Hundred and Fifth 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since the war. 

MILES HAYDEN — Mustered in February 2 4, 1864. Wounded at 

Fort Davis, in front of Petersburg, Va., in 1864. Transferred 

to Company C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 

Volunteers. 
JOHN HAGER — Drafted July 16, 1863. Transferred to Company C, 

One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

Died since the war. 
AMI HAGER — Drafted July 16, 1863. Transferred to Company C, 

One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

Died since the war. 

LEE HILEMAN — Drafted September 16, 18 63. Transferred to 
Company C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 

HENRY HAMMA — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Veteran Volunteer. 
Re-enlisted. Transferred to Company C, One Plundred and Fifth 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Wounded at Spottsyl- 
vania, Va., May 12, 1864, and Boydton Plank Road, Va., October 

27, 1864. .Absent wounded at muster out. 

WILLIAM HAMMA — Mustered in August 2 6, 1861. Veteran Volun- 
teer. Transferred to Company C, One Hundred and Fifth Regi- 
ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Discharged on surgeon's certi- 
ficate, May 29, 1865. Paroled prisoner. 

JOSEPH M. HOOPES — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed in 
action June 22, 1864, in front of Petersburg, Va. Buried Grove 
cemetery, New Brighton, Pa. 

JAMES H. HAYS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at Fair 
Oaks. Va., May 31, 1862. 

BENJAMIN HUGHES — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Discharged 
on surgeon's certificate, November 19, 1861. Died since the 
war. 

DAVID HAYLES — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, December 13, 1861. Died since the war. 

SAMUEL HARRISON, JR. — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged 
on surgeon's certificate, April 14, 1862. Died since the war. 

ROBERT HUNTER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Taken prisoner 

at Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. Paroled and exchanged. 

Transferred to Company C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, 

Pennsylvania Volunteers. Missing in action at Spottsylvania 

Court House, Va., May 12, 1864. 
JOHN ISAMAN — Drafted July 18, 1863. Transferred to Company 

C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

Died since the war. 
PETER .lACOBS — Drafted September 5, 1863. Died December 6, 

1863. 
DAVID KIDDIE — ^Drafted July 11, 1863. Transferred to Company 

C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment. Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

Wounded at North Anna, Va., May 23, 1864. 
JOHN C. F. KEYS — Drafted September 8, 1863. Died December 6, 

1863. Buried in Military Asylum cemetery, Washington, D. C, 

Grave 5263. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 315 

BENJAMIN F. KIDD — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, November 29, 1862. Died since the war. 

ALEXANDER LONG — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Taken prisoner 
at Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. Mustered out with com- 
pany. Died in 1872 and buried in Grove cemetery. New Brigh- 
ton, Pa. 

WILLIAM LANNING — Mustered in August 23, 1861. Wounded at 
the Wilderness, Va., May 7, 1864. In hospital at muster out. 
Died since his return in Beaver Falls, Pa. 

AUGUSTUS LDWRIE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, November 1, 1862. Died since the war. 

EDWIN MARQUIS — Drafted July 2 4, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Missing in action September 13, 1864. Taken prisoner 
and sent to Salsbury Prison, North Carolina, where he died. 

DANIEL MILLER — Drafted July 7, 1863. Died January 18, 1864. 

CHAS. W. MILLER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed in action 
June 20, 1864, in front of Petersburg, Va. 

THOMAS MITCHELL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, August 4, 1863. Died in 1868 at New 
Brighton. Pa., and is buried in Grove cemetery. 

HINDS MARATTA — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, February 5, 1862. Killed by train in 1873, 
at New Brighton, Pa. Buried there. 

JOHN T. MILLER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Transferred to 
United States Signal Corps, January 12, 1864. Died since the 
war. 

WILLIAM MERRIMAN — Mustered in Augus^ 1, 1861. Promoted to 
Corporal. Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, February 10, 
1864. Died February 4, 1903, at Beaver Falls, Pa.; buried in 
Grove cemetery. New Brighton, Pa. 

BAXTER McDANEL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Charles City Cross Roads, June 30, 1862. Mustered out with 
company. 

S. C. McLaughlin — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Sick at mus- 
ter out. Died since the war. 

JOSEPH NELSON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Spottsylvania Court House, Va., May 12, 1864. Mustered out 
with company. 

JOHN R. OSBORNE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. Veteran Volunteer. Re-enlisted Jan- 
uary 4, 1864. Transferred to Company C, One Hundred and 
Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since the war. 

ROBERT PRESTON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, December 1.5, 1862. Died since the war. 

CHARLES RENO — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out with 
company. Died at Rochester, Pa., since the war. 

FREDERICK ROUSE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. 

ABRAHAM RIGGLE — Drafted July 27, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Died since the war. 



316 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

JONAS C. MOLTER — Mustered in August 2 9, 1862. Transferred to 
the Veteran Reserve Corps, November 1, 1864. Wounded at 
Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. He was 51 years of age 
when he enlisted and engaged in all the battle with his com- 
])any till his transfer to the Reserve Corps. Died April 24, 
1885, and was buried. in Beaver cemetery, Beaver, Pa. He had 
three sons in the service; Christ and Henry, of the One Hundred 
and Fortieth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and Oliver, of the Fifth 
Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery. 

SAMUEL C. REED — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, February 19, 1862. Died since the war 
and is buried in Grove cemetery. New Brighton, Pa. 

BENJAMIN F. REED — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Prisoner from 
May 12 to November 30, 1864. Discharged December 6, 1864. 

JACOB SMITH — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out with 
company. 

HENRY SCHIFFENHAUER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded 
May 31, 1862, at Fair Oaks, Va. Absent sick at muster out. 
Died since the war. 

GEORGE SINNETT — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Spottsylvania Court House, Va., May 12, 1864. Absent wounded 
at muster out. Died since the war. 

DANIEL SARVER — Mustered in August 22, 1862. Transferred to 
Company C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Wounded in front of Petersburg, Va., June, 1864. 
Absent wounded at muster out. Died August 4, 1888, at 
National Military Home, Kansas, and buried there. 

DAVID SHAGLE — Drafted July 18, 1863. Transferred to Company 
C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 
Wounded at the Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1864. Died since the 
war. 

EMERY E. STITT — Drafted July 7, 1863. Transferred to Company 
C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 
Died since the war. 

JOHN SMITH — Drafted July 11, 1863. Transferred to Company 
C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 
Died since the war. 

WILLIAM C. SMITH — Drafted July 17, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Died since the war. 

GEORGE STOKES — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Veteran Volun- 
teer. Transferred to Company C, One Hundred and Fifth Regi- 
ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Captured in front of Peters- 
burg, Va., and taken to Salsbury Prison, North Carolina. A 
short time after arriving there he contracted scurvy in one foot 
and had to have it amputated. Sometime after he had recovered 
from this operation the disease attacked the other foot and it 
had to be amputated. He 'died January 2 3, 1865. Buried 
National cemetery, Fredericksburg Va. Grave 98. 

JOHN SHUPE — Drafted July 16, 1863. Died at Philadelphia, July 
16, 1864. 

JOHN SHULTZ — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, July 15, 1862. Died since the war. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 317 

JOHN SHOOK — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at Fair 
Oalfs, May 31, 1862. Discharged on surgeon's certificate, Decem- 
ber 2 7, 1862. Died since the war. 

THOMAS SAMPSON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 

surgeon's certificate, April 3, 1862. Died since the war. 
HUGH SCOTT — Drafted July 16, 1863. Died December 13, 1863. 

JOHN STIDHAM — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Veteran Volunteer. 
Transferred to Company C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, 
Pennsylvania Volunteers; later to Com])any D. Captured May 
31, 1864. Discharged May 19, 1S65. Promoted to Corporal. 

MATTHEW SHAFFER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Veteran 
Volunteer. While home on veteran's furlough he was stricken 
with pneumonia and died March, 1864. Buried in Grove ceme- 
tery, New Brighton, Pa. 

JOHN THOMPSON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, April 3, 1862. Died since the war. 

ROBERT TILL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, March 10, 1862. Died since the war. 

CHAS. VANPELT — Drafted September 19, 1863. Killed at Spottsyl- 
vania Court House, Va., May 12, 1864. Buried in the Wilder- 
ness cemetery; removed to National cemetery, Fredericksburg, 
Virginia. 

JOHN VOGLE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded in front of 
Richmond, 1862. Taken prisoner at Spottsylvania Court House, 
Va., May 12, 1864, and held until November 30, 1864. Mus- 
tered out December 6, 1864. 

THOMAS F. WILSON — Mustered in February 29, 1864. Transferred 
to Company C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Taken prisoner in front of Petersburg, Va., Septem- 
ber 10, 1864, and held until March 12, 186.5, at Salsbury, North 
Carolina. 

JOHN A. L. WILSON — Mustered in March 2 5, 1864. Transferred to 
Company C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died at City Point Hospital, Va., January 24, 1865. 
Buried in a private burial ground at North Sewickley town- 
ship, Beaver county, Pa. 

ALEXANDER WALKER — Drafted September 9, 1863. Transferred 
to Company C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 

WILLIAM P. WILSON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, October 20, 1862. 

WILLIAM WATTE90N — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged 
on surgeon's certificate, April 3, 1863. Died since the war. 

JOHN WOODS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Taken prisoner at 
Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. Wounded at Gettysburg, 
July 2, 1863. Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, November 
11, 1863. Died at National Military Home, Ohio, November 17, 
1903. Buried there. Grave 17, section H, row 19. 

ISA MURRAY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged at York- 
town, Va., 1862. Died since the war. 



318 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

RECAPITULATION. 

Killed or died of wounds 14 

Died of disease 13 

Discharged, for disability 33 

Deserted 1 

Resigned 3 

Transferred to other commands 38 

Mustered out 36 



Total enrolled 138 

Wounded in action 36 



HISTORY OF COMPANY D. 



Company D was i-ecruited at the General Recruiting Headquarters, 
Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa., August 1, 1861. 

Harry O. Ormsbee, B. F. Dunham and .Tames Mclninch, having 
recruited its several sections, consolidated their respective interests, 
selecting Harry Ormsbee, Captain, due to his superior qualifications 
as a drill master; B. F. Dunham, First Lieutenant, and James 
Mclninch, Second Lieutenant. 

The history of Company D is the history of the regiment, but some 
conspicuous instances of courage among even the bravest are worthy 
of note. 

William Thompson, Third Sergeant, promoted to First Sergeant, 
commanded the company during the Seven Days' Battle, an'd was 
promoted to Captaincy by Colonel Alexander Hays, to date from June 
2 6, 1862, for conspicuous bravery in the seven days' fight. 

The number of casualties among the commissioned officers of the 
line often left non-commissioned officers in command at critical 
periods. 

First Sergeant Davis Glass commanded the company through all 
its battles, from the Wilderness, May 5, 1864, until its discharge, 
August 1, 1864, in front of Petersburg. 

ROSTER. 

HEXRY O. ORMSBEE, Captain — Mustered in August 2 6, 1861. 
Resigned March 13, 1862. Died since the war. 

BENJAMIN F. DUNHAM, First Lieutenant — Mustered in August 2 6, 
1861. Promoted to Captain May 13, 1862. Discharged July 
26, 1862. Died since the war. 

WILLIAM McGRANAHAN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Pro- 
moted to Sergeant Major, May 12, 1862. Woun'ded at Chancel- 
lorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. Died June 2, 1863, of wounds. 

JAMES C. McININCH, Second Lieutenant^ — Mustered in August 1, 
1861. Resigned March 17, 1862. Died since the war. 

J. HENRY MILLER, First Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Discharged on surgeon's certificate, January 5, 1863. Died 
since the war. 

G. EMANUEL GROSS, Second Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 
1861. Promoted from Sergeant to Second Lieutenant, March 
15, 1862; to First Lieutenant, July 26, 1862; to Captain, July 
1, 1863. Mustered out with company. Died since the war. 



320 UxNDER THE RED PATCH 

SAMUEL P. GAMBLE, Third Sergeant- — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Promoted to First Lieutenant, May 6, 1863. Taken prisoner 
July 25, 1863, and sent to Libby Prison. Escaped with ninety- 
eight other officers, but was re-captured. Escaped in May, 1864, 
and reached Slierman's army, where he remained from July, 
1864, until April, 1865. Wounded at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 
1862, and at Peach Tree Creek, Ga., August, 1863. Discharged 
April 2 6, 1865. Died at Pittsburgh, Pa., December 31, 1904. 

WILLIAM J. THOMPSON, Fourth Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 
1861. Promoted from Sergeant to Captain, July 26, 1862. 
Killed at Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. 

WILLIAM J. ROBINSON, Fifth Sergeant. Mustered in August 1, 
1861. Wounded at Second Bull Run, August 29, 1862. Dis- 
charged on account of wound December 2 4, 1862. Murdered at 
McKees Rocks, Pa., May 22, 1901. Buried in soldiers' plot, 
Allegheny cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

JOHN M. McINTYRE, First Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Deserted October 20, 1862. 

ELIJAH HALL, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged 
by order of Secretary of War, November 8, 1862. Died since 
the war. 

WILLIAM F. JONES, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Deserted April 30, 1863. 

JOHN M. KIRKPATRICK, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Mustered out with company. Died since the war. 

THOMAS CAHOON, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Pro- 
moted to Sergeant, March 15, 1862; to Second Lieutenant, July 
5, 1863; to First Lieutenant, January 3, 1864; to Captain, April 
23, 1864. Mustered out with company. Scalped by Indians 
in 1868, while conductor on Union Pacific railroad, but sur- 
vived. Committed suicide February 7, 1894, at Ogden, Utah. 
Buried Allegheny, Pa. 

WILLIAM W. PETERS, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Pro- 
moted to Sergeant, November 8, 1862. Prisoner from May 12 
to December 13, 1864. Discharged February 16, 1865. Died at 
Pittsburgh, Pa., July 21, 1902. 

WILLIAM C. CAMPBELL, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Mustered out with company. 

GEORGE W. HALL, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Deserted; returned; discharged by sentence of General Court 
Martial, February 1, 1865. 

FRANK (FRED) V. BEISEL. Musician — Mustered in August 1, 
1861. Transferred from Company C. Mustered out with com- 
pany. Died June 20, 1900, at Beaver Falls, Pa. Buried Beaver, 
Pa., cemetery. 

PRIVATES. 

THOMAS W., BAKER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, December 13, 1861. Died at Pittsburgh, 
Pa., March 25, 1907. 

ARTHUR BALLOU — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to 
Corporal, June 30, 1863. Mustered out with company. Died 
since the war. 



STORY OY THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 321 

RUDOLPH Z. BENZER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to 
Corporal, April 5, 1864. Wounded at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 
1864; wounded twice at Charles City Cross Roads, June 29, 

1862. Mustered out with company. 

ALBERT BOLEY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promted to Cor- 
poral. Mustered out with company. 

FRANK BRAWLEY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. Died since the war. 

WILLIAM BRAWDY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died June 12, 

1863. of wounds received at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863. 
Buried Military Asylum cemetery, Washington, D. C. Grave 
1520. 

WILLIAM BID WELL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Deserted Feb- 
ruary 29, 1862. 
JOHN W. BILMIRE — Mustered in August 1, 18 61. Deserted July 

14, 1863. 
JAMES CASEY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at Fair Oaks, 

May 31, 1862. 
TERRANCE CASEY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out 

with company. 
JAMES CAIN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Transferred to Veteran 

Reserve Corps. 
BR YON COWAN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Veteran Volunteer. 

Transferred to Company A, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, 

Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since the war. 
JAMES COLLINS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded. Absent 

wounded at muster out. 
JOHN CRAIG — Mustered in August 1, 1861.' Killed at Wilderness, 

May 5, 1864. 
CHARLES C. CREGHAN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered 

out with company. Died at National Military Home, Ohio, 

October 17, 1900, and buried there. 
BENJAMIN CRAVEN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Transferred to 

Veteran Reserve Corps. Died since the war. 
ALEXANDER J. CLARK — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded 

at Charles City Cross Roads, Va., June 29, 1862. Discharged 

December 19, 1862, on account of wounds. 
WILLIAM CARRICK — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Prisoner in 

Andersonville, Ga., from October 24, 1863, to November 26, 

1864. Discharged January 26, 1865. Died at Homeville, Pa., 
November 15, 1902. Buried there. 

EDWARD DAVIS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to Cor- 
poral, January 5, 1863; to Sergeant, April 25, 1864. Mustered 
out with company. Died since the war. 

McEWAN DORAN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Captured October 
24, 1863. Died in Andersonville Prison, May 11, 1864. Grave 
1020. 

RICHARD DUMPHY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged 
July 4, 1863, on account of wounds received December 13, 1862, 
at Fredericksburg. Died since the war. 

JAMES FOWLER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Murdered in Wash- 
ington, D. C, December 10, 1862. 



322 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

JOHN FAGAN — Mustered in August 1, 1S61. Promoted to Corporal, 
April 25, 1864. Wounded at Nelson's Farm, Va., June 30, 1862, 
and at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Mustered out with com- 
pany. 

JAMES GIBSON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate. Died since the war. 

ALVA GIDSON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, August 2, 1862. Died since the war. 

JOHN C. GREEN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged Febru- 
ary 14, 1863, for wounds received at Fredericksburg, December 
13, 1862. Died since the war. 

DAVIS GLASS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to Corporal, 
March 15, 1862; to First Sergeant, July 5, 1863. Wounded at 
Second Bull Run, August 29, 1862. Commanded his company 
for six months before expiration of term of service. Mustered 
out with company. 

THOMAS GLASS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged Febru- 
ary 26, 1863, for wounds received at Second Bull Run, August 
29, 1862. Veteran Volunteer. Re-enlisted and transferred to 
Company A, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Wounded and captured at Poplar Grove Church, 
Va., October 2, 1864. Died since the war. 

GEORGE W. GRAY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. 

JOHN C. GRAY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died May 21, 1863, 
of wounds received at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863. Buried 
Military Asylum cemetery, Washington, D. C. Grave 4355. 

GEORGE HALIi — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged October 
11, 1862, for wounds received at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. 
Died since the war. 

WILLIAM H. HAMILTON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted 
to Corporal. Wounded at Mine Run, Va., November 28, 1863. 
Color bearer May 2 8, 1864, to August 3, 1864. Wounded slightly 
five times. Mustered out with company. Died February 21, 
1903, at Allegheny, Pa. 

.JONAS M. HARTZELL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged 
on writ habeas corpus, March 19, 1863. 

SAMUEL HAWTHORNE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded 
March, 1862. Discharged on surgeon's certificate, March 9, 
1862. Died at National Military Home, Ohio, February 14, 
1907. 

JOHN HARVEY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged Decem- 
ber 2 4, 1862, for wounds received at Orchards, Va., June 2 5, 
1862. 

GEORGE HARVEY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged 
December, 1863, for wounds received at Chancellorsville, Va., 
May 3, 1863. Died since the war. 

MARTIN HOLLAND — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded in 
action. Discharged on surgeon's certificate, October 10, 1862. 
Died since the war. 

WILLIAM J. KENNEDY— Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged 
by order of War Department, December 2 5, 1863. Died since 
the war. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 323 

CHARLES INGRAM — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. Died since the war. 

MICHAEL KENNEDY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, January 13, 1863. Died since the war. 

WILLIAM H. KEISER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died of dis- 
ease near Yorktown, Va., May 3, 1862. 

GEORGE KILPATRICK — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. Died since the war. 

JACOB L3INEBAUGH — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Veteran Volun- 
teer. Transferred to One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers. Died at Harmarsville, Pa., since the war. 

PHILIP LATHERBAUGH — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged 
— date unknown. Died since the war. 

ROBERT McADAMS, JR.^ — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered 
out with company. 

ROBERT McADAMS. SR. — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged 
on surgeon's certificate, October 10. 1862. Re-enlisted February 
1, 1864. Transferred to Company A, One Hundred and Fifth 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died at Pittsburgh, Pa., 
December 2 5, 1873. Father of James and Robert McAdams, Jr., 
and brother of William McAdams, of same company. Buried 
Uuiondale cemetery, Allegheny, Pa. 

JAMES McADAMS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died December 
31, 1862, of wounds received at Second Bull Run, Va., August 
29, 1862. Buried Uniondale cemetery, Allegheny, Pa. 

WILLIAM McADAMS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to 
Corporal, June 30, 1863. Wounded at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 
1862, and at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Absent on account 
of wounds at muster out. Died at Pittsburgh, Pa., April, 1900. 
Buried Uniondale cemetery, Allegheny, Pa. 

THOMAS McBRIDE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, March 2 7, 1862. Died since the war. 

ALEX. McCONKEY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, April 4, 1862. Re-enlisted February 1, 
1864. Transferred to Company A, One Hundred and Fifth 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Wounded with loss of leg 
May 19, 1865. Died since the war. 

EDWARD McCaffrey — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Spottsylvania, May 12. 1864. Veteran Volunteer. Transferred 
to Company A, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. 

JAMES A. McCAFFERY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted 
to Cor))oral, November 1, 1863. Mustered out with company. 
Died since the war. 

DAVID McCREERY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, April 28, 1863. Died since the war. 

JOHN C. MCDOWELL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged 
on surgeon's certificate, May 22, 1862. Died since the war. 

JAMES McGEARY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded in 
action. Mustered out with comi)any. Died since the war. 

ROBERT D. McKEE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. 



32 4 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

JAMES McCLAIN — Mustered in August 1, 1S61. Killed at Second 
Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. 

ELISHA A McANNINCH — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered 
out with company. 

FRANK MONTAGUE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. Died since the war. 

JOHN MOORE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, April 8, 1863. Died since the war. 

ALLEN H. NAYLOR — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Transferred to 
Company A, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Promoted to Sergeant. Wounded in action. Died 
March 31, 1865. Buried National cemetery, Annapolis, Md. 

MARTIN V. NAYLOR — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died of 
wounds received at Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. 

ROBERT NEELY — Mustered in August 1, 1S61. Transferred to 
regimental band. 

JOHN J. NIEFBR — Mustered in August 1, 18 61. Transferred to 
Veteran Reserve Corps. Died since the war. 

JAMES OLDHAM — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, March 18, 1863. Died since the war. 

JOHN PARE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, January 19, 1863. Died since the war. 

ALEX. L. PARK — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died at Philadel- 
phia, Pa., August 29, 1862, of wounds received at Nelson's 
Farm, Va., June 30, 1862. 

DAVID RANDALL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, December 31, 1862. Died since the war. 

SAMUEL J. RENO — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, October 30, 1862. Died since the war. 

AARON ROBBINS, SR. — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged 
on surgeon's certificate, April 3, 1862. Died since the war. 

AARON ROBBINS, JR. — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Prisoner from 
October 24, 1863, to November 20, 1864. Discharged January 
26, 1865. Killed by train at Hites, Pa., July 23, 1902. Buried 
at Tarentum, Pa. 

JOSEPH ROBBINS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. Died since the war. 

WILLIAM SHIELDS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, April 4, 1862. Died since the war. 

JAMES C. TRIMBLE— Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, January 3, 1863. Died since the war. 

WILLIAM TATE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at Chancel- 
lorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. 

JOHN B. TIMONY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out with 
company. Died September 1, 1901, at Salt Lake City, Utah. 

JAMBS TODD — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, January 7, 1862. Died since the war. 

FRANK L TOMER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. Died since the war. 

EDWARD TURNER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Deserted Janu- 
ary 28, 1863. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 325 

STEPHEN M. VAUGHN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died at 
Camp Johnston, Va., of wounds. 

HENRY VANNATTA — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Deserted 
November 2 9, 1861. 

WILLIAM WATSON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. Died since the war. 

.lOSEPH WHERLING — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded in 
action. Mustered out with company. 

SOLOMON KLINE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted from 
Sergeant Major to First Lieutenant, May 15, 1862. Dismissed 
July 2 6, 1862. Died since the war. 

JOSEPH WICKLINE — Mustered in July 11, 18 62. Promoted to 
Corporal. December 24, 1862; to Sergeant, November 1, 1863. 
Wounded, at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864, with loss of leg. 
Absent wounded at muster out. 

JOSEPH ASKINS — Mustered in July 30, 1862. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, October 5, 1862. Died since the war. 

JAMES BABCOCK — Drafted September 7, 1863. Killed at Wilder- 
ness, May 5, 1864. 

LYMAN L. BROWN — Drafted September 4, 1863. Killed at Wilder- 
ness, May 5, 1864. 

WILLIAM BEARDSLEY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Transferred 
to regimental band. 

HENRY CORNWALL — Drafted September 3, 1863. Wounded absent 
at muster out. Died since the war. 

JOHN CAMPBELL — Drafted July 18, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany A, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Wounded. Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. Died 
since the war. 

GEORGE A. COOK — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Veteran Volun- 
teer. Transferred to Company D, One Hundred and Fifth Regi- 
ment. 

ROBERT FLEMING — Mustered in December 2, 1862. Transferred 
to Company A, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 

ROBERT FOWLER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged for 
disability, 1861. 

CHARLES C. GARDNER — Drafted July 3, 1863. Transferred 
to Company A. One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Wounded at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Died 
since the war. 

JOHN HUGHES — Mustered in August 8, 1862. Wounded. Trans- 
ferred to Company A, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers. Died since the war. 

FRANCIS M. HALL — Drafted September 7, 1863. Transferred 
to Company A, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 

DAVID HOLMES — Mustered in November 22, 1862. Transferred to 
Veteran Reserve Corps. Died since the war. 

EDMUND HILL — Drafted September 3, 1863. Deserted May 3, 1864. 
Returned. Discharged by General Order, August 25, 1865. 

CHRIST HILLER — Drafted July 10, 1863. Deserted May 3, 1864. 



32 6 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

ROBERT JOHNSTON — Drafted July 14, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany A, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Captured October 2 7, 1864. Died since the war. 

PHILIP LEE — Mustered in June 7, 1862. Discharged November 6, 
1862. Died since the war. 

FRANK LEON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Deserted November 
10, 1861. 

GEORGE MONTGOMERY — Mustered in February 6, 1864. 
Wounded. Transferred to Company A, One Hundred and Fifth 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since the war. 

WILLIAM METZ — Mustered in August 4, .1862. Transferred to 
Company A, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 

JOHN MARSH — Drafted September 7, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany A, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Killed. Buried in National cemetery. Poplar Grove, 
Va. Grave 678. 

GEORGE MORRISON — Drafted September 7, 1863. Wounded at the 
Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Transferred to Company A, One 
Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

JAMES MOORE — Mustered in . Killed at the 

Wilderness, May 5, 1864. 

MANSFIELD B. MASON — Mustered in January 18, 1864. Killed at 
the Wilderness, May 5, 1864. 

GEORGE METZ — Drafted July 10, 1863. Prisoner from June 1, 

1864, to March 1, 1865. Discharged by general order, June 22, 

1865. Died since the war. 

JOHN McGRAW — Mustered in July 29, 1862. Wounded in action. 

Transferred to Company A, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, 

Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since the war. 
ROGER McCAIN — Drafted February 16, 1864. Deserted same 

month. 
FRANK NICHOL — Mustered in September 23, 1863. Transferred 

to Company A, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 

Volunteers. Died since the war. 
ALBERT PAESSKIE — Drafted September 4, 1863. Transferred to 

Company A, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 

Volunteers. Died since the war. 
JAMES D. PROSSER — Drafted September 4, "1863. Transferred to 

Company A, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 

Volunteers. Captured and died at Andersonville Prison, Ga. 

Grave 532 3. 
MICHAEL PURCELL — Mustered in July 7, 1862. Killed at Second 

Bull Run, August 29, 1862. 

NICHOLAS ROBBINS — Mustered in September 11, 1862. Captured 
May 9, 1864. Transferred to Company A, One Hundred and 
Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since the war. 

ISAAC RETTINGER— Drafted July 18, 1863. Wounded in action. 
Transferred to Company A, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, 
Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

JOHN ROSENBERGER — Drafted July 18, 1863. Died at Catlett's 
Station, Va., November 5, 1863. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 327 

JOHN RETTINGER — Drafted July 18, 1863. Died since tlae war. 

CHARLES F. RAYMOND— Drafted September 3, 1863. Deserted 
October 4, 1863. 

JAMES B. SOWERS — Mustered in August 29, 1861. Veteran Volun- 
teer. Transferred to Company A, One Hundred and Fifth Regi- 
ment, Pennsylvania Volunteei's. Died since the war. 

MATTHEW SMITH — Drafted July 22, 1863. Wounded at Wilder- 
ness, Va., May 5, 1864. Transferred to Company A, One Hun- 
dred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

JOHN J. STORY — Drafted August 4, 1863. Deserted May 3, 1864. 

FAYETTE THORN — Drafted September E, 1863. Transferred to 
Company A, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Wounded in action with loss of leg. 

RECAPITULATION. 

Killed or died of wounds 19 

Died of disease 4 

Murdered 1 

Discharged 39 

Deserted 12 

Resigned 2 

Dismissed 1 

Transferred to other regiments 29 

Mustered out 36 



Total 143 

Wounded in action 40 



HISTORY OF COMPANY E. 



Company E was organized in Etna, Pa., at a meeting heW on 
August 1, 1861. Andrew G. Williams was elected Captain and R. 
Howard Millar, First Lieutenant. The company was composed of 
about sixty-eight men, who went into camp in a field in Etna, in 
the center of which stood a building known as Kiel's Band Hall, 
which was used as barracks for the men. 

Quite a number of the company had been members of a Home 
Guard company which was then in full organization, and of which 
•John A. Banks was the First Lieutenant. 

After the company had been in this camp a few days, Colonel 
Hays visited the company and urged the officers to march to Camp 
Wilkins and become a part of the regiment he was then recruiting. 
The company, not having their full complement of men, were fearful 
that they might be disbanded or assigned to other companies in the 
regiment, and refused to go into Camp Wilkins to be mustered until 
a sufficient number had been recruited to assure them the continu- 
ance of their own organization. 

Colonel Hays continued his visits almost every other day for 
about two weeks when, after the urgent solicitation of Captain Wil- 
liams and Lieutenant Millar, John A. Banks was persuaded to accept 
the position of Captain of the company, and Captain Williams and 
Lieutenant Millar took their positions among the ranks of the 
enlisted men. 

The company, during the time they were encamped in this field, 
were drilled and under military discipline, and were most royally 
cared for by the citizens of Etna and surrounding country, who fur- 
nished them with all kinds of eatables and provisions of the best qual- 
ity and in most lavish abundance. After Captain Banks had assumed 
command of the company, arrangements were at once made to enter 
Camp Wilkins, and the first afternoon the company was in that 
camp negotiations were entered into with .John McClellan, who was 
then in camp with some eighteen or twenty men from the farming 
districts of Indiana and West Beer townships, whereby he and his 
men were to become a part of the company under command of Cap- 
tain Banks, and a permanent organization was then effected by the 
election of John A. Banks, Captain; John McClellan, First Lieuten- 
ant, and Wm. J. McElroy, who had just returned from the three 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 329 

months' service, as Second Lieutenant. Tlie company was mustered 
into the service of the United States by then Lieutenant, afterward 
Captain W. B. Hays, of the Sixth United States Cavalry, and was 
thereafter known as Company B, Sixty-third Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. 

The company left Pittsburgh on the afternoon of September 8, 
1861, and its subsequent history is the glorious history and record 
of the old Sixty-third. 

ROSTER. 

JOHN A. BANKS, Captain — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Pro- 
moted to Major, September 29, 1862; to Lieutenant Colonel, 
December 18, 1863; commissioned Colonel, July 1, 1863. Not 
mustered. Mustered out with regiment. Died at Glenfield, Pa., 
July 25, 1896. Buried in Allegheny City, Pa. 

JOHN McClelland, First Lieutenant — Mustered in September 9, 

1861. Promoted to Captain, September 29, 1862. Absent on 
recruiting service at muster out. Died at Springdale, Pa., since 
the war. 

WILLIAM J. Mcelroy, Second Lieutenant — Mustered in September 
9, 1861. Resigned September 31, 1861. Died since the war. 

WILLIAM J. MARKS, First Sergeant. — Mustered in 

Promoted to Second Lieutenant, August 15, 1862. Died Sep- 
tember 11, 1862, of wounds received in action at Second Bull 
Run, August 29, 1862. 

ROBERT HOWARD MILLAR, Second Sergeant — Mustered in Sep- 
tember 9, 18 61. Promoted to First Lieutenant, September 29, 

1862. Acting Adjutant from November 2 7, 1863, to June 22, 
1864. Wounded at Petersburg, Va., June 22, 1864. Absent 
wounded at muster out. Died Pittsburgh, Pa., February 1, 
1899. Buried Greenwood cemetery, near Glenshaw, Pa. 

ANDREW G. WILLIAMS, Third Sergeant — Mustered in September 
9, 1861. Promoted to Second Lieutenant, September 13, 1S62. 
Wounded at Charles City Cross Roads, June 30, 1862; at Fred- 
ericksburg, Va., December 13, 1862; and at the Wilderness, Va., 
May 5, 1864. Mustered out with company. 

THOMAS J. COATES, Fourth Sergeant — Mustered in September 9, 
1861. Died in Philadelphia, Pa., June 9, 1862, of wounds 
received at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. 

WILLIAM B. WHITFIELD, Fifth Sergeant. Mustered in Septem- 
ber 9, 1861. Captured. Died in Libby Prison, Richmond, Va., 
July 19, 1862. 

JOHN THOMAS, First Corporal — Mustered in September 9, 1861. 
Discharged on surgeon's certificate, April IS, 1862. Died since 
the war. 

WILLIAM H. MAGILL, Second Corporal — Mustered in September 9, 
1861. Wounded at Wilderness, May 6, 1864. Absent wounded 
at muster out. 

HENRY WILLIAMS, Third Corporal — Mustered in September 9, 
1861. Discharged on surgeon's certificate, August, 1862. Died 
since the war. 



330 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

SAMUEL GUTHRIE, Sergeant^Mustered in September 9, 1S61. 
Missing at Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. 

JAMES M. KINCAID, Fourth Corporal — Mustered in September 9, 
18C1. Veteran Volunteer. Transferred to Company E, One 
Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died 
June 30, 1906, National Military Home, Santa Monica, Cal. 
Grave 21, section 12, row H. 

THOMAS J. DAVIS, Fifth Corporal. Mustered in September 9, 
1801. Missing at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. 

CHARLES W. GRIESMER, Sixth Corporal. Mustered in September 
9, 1861. Mustered out with company. Died at Etna, Pa., since 
the w^ar. 

JOHN BLAIR, Seventh Corporal— Mustered in September 9, 1861. 
Promoted to Sergeant, September 10, 1862. Veteran Volunteer. 
Wounded with loss of leg. Died at home and buried in Alle- 
gheny cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

HARRISON H. ANDERSON, Eighth Corporal — Mustered in Septem- 
ber 9, 1861. Promted to Second Lieutenant. Resigned August 
14, 1862. Died since the war. 

JOHN H. HOWENSTEIN, Musician — Mustered in September 9, 
18G1. Promoted to leader of band, January, 1862. Died at 
Pittsburgh, Pa., since the war. 

JAMES A. CLOWS, Musician — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Mus- 
tered out with company, September 9, 1864. Re-enlisted in 
Company A, Seventh Connecticut Infantry, September 22, 1864. 
Wounded at Petersburg, Va., and Three Creeks Bridge, Va., 
March, 1865. 

MILTON J. BOYD, Musician — Mustered in September 9, 1861. 
Wounded at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. Discharged August, 
1862, on account of wounds. 

WILLIAM S. GRAY, Wagoner— Mustered in September 9, 1861. Dis- 
charged on surgeon's certificate; date unknown. Died Indiana 
toAvnshii), Pa., since the war. 

PRIVATES. 

JOHN R. ABER — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Promoted to Cor- 
poral, February, 1863. Wounded at Wilderness, May 5, 1864. 
Absent in hospital at muster out. Died Butler, Pa., since the 
war. 

ROBERT AIKEN — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Killed at Fair 
Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. 

JOSEPH AKART — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Died of disease 
in hospital at Yorktown, Pa., May 16, 1862. 

GEORGE W. ALLISON — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Promoted 
to Corporal, March, 1862. Wounded at Fair Oaks, Va., May 
31, 1862. Discharged August 1, 1862, on account of wounds. 

ROBERT M. BOYD — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Missing at 
Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. 

JAMES A. BATEMAN — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Veteran 
Volunteer. Transferred to Company B, One Hundred and Fifth 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Wounded August 12, 1864. 
Died since the war. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 331 

SAMUEL R. BALDWIN — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Dis- 
charged December 30, 1862, on account of wounds received at 
Second Bull Run, Va., August 30, 1862. 

ROBERT J. BLACK — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Died of dis- 
ease in hospital at Yorktown, Va., May 6, 1862. Buried in 
National cemetery, section C, grave 1417. 

SAMUEL BENNETT — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Killed at 
Petersburg, Va., June 16, 1864. 

JOHN BOYD — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, February 2, 1862. 

JOSEPH BEYNON — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Killed at Fair 
Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. Buried in Allegheny cemetery, Pitts- 
burgh, Pa. 

GEORGE W. CLARK — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Discharged 
on surgeon's certificate, February 8, 1863. Died shortly after 
his return. 

WILLIAM CLOWES — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Promoted to 
Hospital Steward, Sixty-first Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, March 31, 1862. Mustered out July 2, 1865. 

JOHN COOPER — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Killed at Second 
Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. 

JOHN CALLIGHAN — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Wounded at 
Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Wounded several times. Absent 
wounded at muster out. Died since the war. 

HUGH CUNNINGHAM — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Promoted 
to Corporal, October 4, 1862. Transferred to Company E, One 
Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Miss- 
ing at Spottsylvania, Va., May 12, 1864. 

WILLIAM H. CLARK — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Deserted 
August 29, 1862. 

RICHARD DAVIS — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, March, 1863. 

DAVID D. DUNLAP — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Discharged 
on surgeon's certificate, December 9, 1862. 

ISAAC EDGAR^Mustered in September 9, 1861. Brigade wagon- 
master. Mustered out with company. 

JOHN EMRICK — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Missing in 
action, Mav 31, 1862. Captured and died in Richmond, Va., 
July 11, 1862. 

CHARLES FLAGG — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. Died near Wheeling, W. V., since the war. 

CHRISTOPHER FISHER (or Fischner) — Mustered in September 9, 

1861. Mustered out with company. Died at Talley Cavey, Pa., 
since the war. 

JOHN FLEMING — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Died July 16, 

1862, of wounds received at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. 

EARNEST FREDERICK — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Dis- 
charged on surgeon's certificate, July, 1862. 

JOHN FRAYER — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Wounded at 
Spottsylvania, Va., May 12, 1864. Veteran Volunteer. Trans- 
ferred to One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. 



332 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

JOHN B. FORD — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Killed in skirmish 
June 2 5, 1862, near Richmond, Va. 

JAMES G. GALBRAITH — Mustered in' September 9, 1861. Mustered 
out with company. Died at Millvale, Pa., since the war. 

JAMES W. GALBRAITH — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Missing 
at Second Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. 

EDWARD GRANT — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Deserted Octo- 
ber 12, 1862. 

SAMUEL A. GRAY — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Captured at 
Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. Mustered out with com- 
pany. 

W. S. GRAY — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Division teamster. 
Discharged on surgeon's certificate, November 15, 1863. 

DAVID GRIFFITHS — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Transferred 
to Company H. 

GEORGE S. HANNA — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Discharged 
July, 18 62. Died at Springdale, Pa., since the war. 

THOMAS HANNA — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Died of disease 
in hospital at Portsmouth Grove, R. I., March 2 3, 1863. 

DAVID HAYLES — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Transferred to 
Company C. 

JOHN HUGGINS — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Wounded at 
Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862, and died from wounds received 
July 19, 1862. Buried at Cypress Hill cemetery. Long Island. 

JOHN HASSINGER — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Drummer. 
Transferred to Company G. Died of heart disease, November, 
1861. Buried in old Robinson Presbyterian churchyard, near 
Sharpsburg, Pa. 

PHILIP W. HASSINGER — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Musi- 
cian. Died of disease, October, 1861. Buried in old Robinson 
Presbyterian churchyard, near Sharpsburg, Pa. 

ROBERT HENRY — Mustered in September 9, 18 61. Promoted to 
Sergeant, October 4, 1862. Transferred to Company E, One 
Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Missing 
at Spottsylvania Court House, Va., July 12, 1864. 

WILLIAM H. HILTABIDEL — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Dis- 
charged May 4, 1862. Died Minneapolis, Minn., since the war. 

HENRY HARRIS — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Wounded at 
Savage Station, Va., 1862. Discharged April, 1862. Died since 
the war. 

JOHN HEIST — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Promoted to Cor- 
poral, December 20, 1862. Veteran Volunteer. Transferred to 
Company E, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Missing at Spottsylvania, Va., May 12, 1864. 

JOHN G. HOMYER — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. 

BENJAMIN HUGHES — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Transferred 
to Company C. Wounded at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. 
Captured at Glendale. 

WILLIAM HUTCHMAN — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Dis- 
charged on surgeon's certificate, December 2, 1862. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 333 

JOHN S. HUNTER — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. Captured at Glendale, Va., and sent to Libby 
Prison. 

ROBERT HARE — Mustered in December G, 1861. Transferred to 
Company E, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. 

EBENEZER JONES — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Transferred 
to First United States Artillery, December 25, 1862. 

ALFRED H. JONES — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Promoted to 
Corporal, March 4, 1863. Wounded at Second Bull Run, Va., 
August 29, 1862, and twice at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863. 
Captured June 22. 1864, and sent to Libby Prison. Released 
December 13, 1864. 

RICHARD J. JONES — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Wounded at 
Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. Discharged on surgeon's 
certificate, January, 1863. Died April 1, 1899, at Columbus, 
Ohio. Buried Glocester, Ohio. 

WILLIAM JONES — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. Died Pittsburgh, Pa., May 14, 1901. 

THOMAS B. JONES — Mustered in Septenaber 9, 1861. Wounded 
Charles City Cross Roads, Va., June ,30, 1862. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, January 20, 186;^. Died April 29, 1907, at 
Aspinwall, Pa. 

JACOB JOHNSTON — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Transferred 
to 'Veteran Reserve Corps. 

MICHAEL KOERNER — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Discharged 
on surgeon's certificate, October, 1862. Died in Shaler town- 
ship, Pa., soon after his discharge. 

JOSIAH KELLY — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. Died at Etna, Pa., since the war. 

WILLIAM F. LEE — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Missing at 
Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. 

THOMAS LAWRENCE — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Wounded 
at Nelson's Farm, Va., June 30, 1862. Absent sick at muster 
out. Died Sharpsburg, Pa., 1894. 

JEROME C. LINGLE — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Discharged 
on surgeon's certificate. 

GEORGE LAING — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Promoted to 
First Sergeant. Veteran Volunteer. Transferred to One Hun- 
dred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

HARRISON H. LACY — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Veteran 
Volunteer. Transferred to One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, 
Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

DAVID LYNCH — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Deserted August 
29, 1862. 

THOMAS LAMB — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. Died since the war. 

ISAAC A. MARSHALL — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Wounded 
at Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Absent in hospital at muster out. 
Died since the war. 

KENNEDY McKEE — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Discharged 
October 28, 1862, on surgeon's certificate. 



334 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

DAVID D. MEHAFFBY — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Promoted 
to Corporal, October 4, 1862. Died June 19, 1864, of wounds 
received at Petersburg, Va., June, 1864. Buried near Meade 
Station, Va. 

THOMAS A. MILLER — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Missing at 
Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. 

DAVID McINTYRE— Mustered in September 9, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. Died near Bakerstown, Pa., December 2, 1905. 

GEORGE W. McCUTCHEON — Mustered in September 9, 1861. 
Wounded at Petersburg, Va., June 22, 1864. Died at Pitts- 
burgh, Pa., October 30, 1900. 

WILLIAM J. McLAREN — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Promoted 
to First Sergeant. Died June 6, 1864, of wounds received at 
Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Buried in East Union U. P. 
cemetery. 

S. C. Mclaughlin — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Transferred 
to Company C, October 11, 1861. 

CORNELIUS W. MILLAR — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Pro- 
moted to Corporal. Killed at Charles City Cross Roads, Va., 
June 30, 1862. Brother R. Howard Millar. 

BENJAMIN PATTON — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Died 
November 27, 1862, of wounds received at Groveton. August 
29, 1862. 

THOMAS POWERS — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Wounded at 
Nelson's Farm, Va., June 30, 1862. Discharged September 27, 
1862. 

THOMAS PUGH — Mustered in September 9, 1862. Discharged June 
7, 1862. Died since the war. 

WILLIAM PEARS — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Wounded at 
Petersburg, Va., June 18, 1864. Absent wounded at muster 
out. 

SAMUEL PORTER — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Missing at 
Second Bull Run, Va., August 2 9, 1862. 

JOHN G. ROBINSON — Mustere-d in September 9, 1861. Promoted 
to Corporal, August 1, 1863. Wounded at Nelson's Farm, Va.; 
at Second Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862; at Gettysburg, Pa., 
Jvily 2, 1863. Absent on recruiting service at muster out. 

SYLVANUS C. SCOTT — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Discharged 
January 10, 1863. Died since the war. 

DAVID STOUP — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Promoted to Cor- 
poral, February, 1863. Died of disease at Gettysburg, Pa., July 
25, 1863. Buried in National cemetery, section A, grave 72. 
MICHAEL M. SCHULTZ — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Pro- 
moted to Corporal, February, 1863. Prisoner from June 22, 
1864, to December 13, 1864. Discharged December 19, 1864. 
Died since the war. 
PHILIP SNYDER — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Deserted August 
20, 1862. 

DANIEL SMITH — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. Died since the war. 

WILLIAM A. WILLIAMS — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Wounded 
June 24, 1862. Mustered out with company. 



STORY tDF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 335 

PETER SMOULTER— Mustered in September 9, 1861. Veteran 
Volunteer. Transferred to Company E, One Hundred and Fifth 
Regiment, Pennsj'lvania Volunteers. Wounded at the Wilder- 
ness, Va., May 5, 1864. Died Glenshaw, Pa., March 19, 1907. 
Buried Mt. Royal cemetery. 

THOMAS THRUMSTOX — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Wounded 
at Wilderness, May G, 1864, losing an arm. Died at Pittsburgh, 
Pa., since the war. 

WILLIAM WOODWARD — Mustered in February 24, 1862. Deserted 
December 13, 1862. 

SIMON WEIKERT — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Discharged on 

surgeon's certificate, November, 1862. Died at Millvale, Pa., 

since the war. 
JOHN M. YAHRES — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Color guard; 

also detailed as provost guard General Birney's headquarters. 

Prisoner from June 22, 1864, to March 1, 1865. Discharged 

April 1, 1865. 

PETER YOUNG — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Wounded at 
Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. Died of wounds. 

RALPH H. DAWSON, Corporal — Mustered in February 12, 1862. 
Wounded at Glendale, .June 30, 1862, and at Wilderness, Va., 
May 5, 1864. Transferred to Company E, One Hundred and 
Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

EMANUEL BURKETT — Drafted September 9, 1863. Wounded. 
Transferred to Company E, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, 
Pennsylvania Volunteers. Abesent wounded at muster out. 
Died since the war. 

HENRY BOWERS — Drafted July 13, 1863. Transferred to Company 
E, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 
Missing in action May 5, 1864. 

ROBERT R. BURCHFIELD — Drafted September 8, 1863. Trans- 
ferred to Company E, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers. Missing in action June 22, 1864. Said to 
have died in Andersonville prison. 

JAMES F. BLANCETT— Drafted July 17, 1863. Deserter from 
Rebel Army. Transferred to Western Army. 

JOHN W. BENNETT — Drafted July 16, 1863. Wounded May 12, 
1864. Transferred to One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers. Absent wounded at muster out. Died 
since the war. 

THOMAS OOiFFIN — Mustered in October 12, 1862. Vv^'ounded before 
Petersburg, June 16, 1864. Transferred to Company E, One 
Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died 
since the war. 

A. M. CREIGHTON — Drafted July 13, 1863. Missing in action May 
5, 1864. Transferred to Company E, One Hundred and Fifth 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

JAMES Y. FLEMING — Mustered in February 24, 1862. Transferred 
to Comi)any E, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 

WILLIAM H. GODFREY — Drafted September 12, 1863. Transferred 
to Company E. One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 



33G UNDER THE RED PATCH 

WILLIAM CONELLY — Drafted September 1, 1863. Deserted at 
Brandy Station. 

WILLIAM EMERICK — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Discharged 
on surgeon's certificate, June 7, 1862. Died since the war. 

GEORGE A. GARRIES — Drafted September 12, 1863. Wounded at 
Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864. Transferred to Company E, One 
Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died 
Erie, Pa., December 25, 1906. Buried Trinity cemetery, Erie. 

WILLIAM S. GREER — Drafted July 16, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany E, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Wounded. Died since the war. 

CHARLES HIGGINS — Drafted September 12, 1863. Transferred to 
Company E, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 

JOHN M. JONES — Drafted September 2, 1863. Deserted September 
13, 1863. 

ELIAS KUNSELMAN— Drafted July 18, 1863. Wounded at Wilder- 
ness, May 5, 1864. Died since the war. 

HENRY H. KENNAN (or Keener) — Drafted July 14, 1863. Cap- 
tured at Spottsylvania, Va., May 12, 1864. Died in Anderson- 
ville Prison, July 12, 1864. Grave 3678. 

WILLIAM LONG — Drafted July 14, 1863. Wounded at Wilderness, 
May 6, 1864. Transferred to Company E, One Hundred and 
Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since the war. 

JOHN KUNSELMAN — Drafted July 18, 1863. Captured. Died in 
Andersonville Prison, Ga., March 31, 1864. Grave 268. 

SAMUEL LIVENGOOD — Drafted July 16, 1863. Died of disease 
while prisoner, July 25, 1864. 

JOHN C. MOORE — Drafted July 14, 1863. Transferred to Company 
E, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 
Died since the war. 

CONRAD MEESE (or Niece) — Drafted. Killed at Petersburg, Va., 
June 16, 1864. 

JEREMIAH McMULLEN — Drafted Julv 15, 1863. Deserted Septem- 
ber 13, 1863. 

JAMES A. POWERS^ — Mustered in August 1, 1862. Wounded at 
Second Bull Run (lost leg) August 2 9, 1862. Discharged Janu- 
ary 16, 1863. 

JOHN W. RIKE — Drafted July 14, 1863. Transferred to Company 
E, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 
Died October, 18 96, at West Elizabeth, Pa. 

JOSEPH O. STBINER — Mustered in August 10, 1862. Wounded at 
Locust Grove, Va., November 27, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany E, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. 

JOSEPH SCHRACK — Drafted July 14, 1863. Wounded at Wilder- 
ness, May 5, 1864. Transferred to One Hundred and Fifth Regi- 
ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since the war. 

JOHN C. SHORT — Drafted July 13, 1863. Woun'ded in front of 
Petersburg, Va., June 18, 1864. Transferred to Company E, 
One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 337 

LYDICK SMITH— Drafted July 13, 1863. Captured. Died in Libby 
Prison, Richmond, Va., December 29, 1863. 

WILLIAM SNYDER — Drafted July 18, 1863. Wounded at the 
Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Transferred to Company E, One 
Hundred and Fiftli Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

THOMAS J. WOODWARD — Mustered in February 24, 1862. 
Wounded at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. Transferred to Company 
E, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

DAVID F. WALTER (real name Zacharias Gordon) — Drafted Sep- 
tember 3, 1863. Wounded before Petersburg, Va., June 16, 
1864. Transferred to Company E, One Hundred and Fifth Regi- 
ment. Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

MARTIN L. WILLETS — Drafted July 13, 1863. Wounded Cold 
JJarbor, Va., June 3, 1864. Transferred to Company E, One 
Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

DAVID WESTLEY — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, December 12, 1863. Died since the war. 

RECAPITULATION. 

Killed or died of wounds 29 

Died of disease 12 

Discharged 2 9 

Deserted 8 

Resigned 2 

Transferred to other regiments 38 

Mustered out 27 



Total enrolled 145 

Wounded in action 46 



HISTORY OF COMPANY F. 



In July, 1861, immediately after the disaster at Bull Run, Bernard 
J. Reid, of the Clarion bar, began to recruit a company for the war. 
Two companies had already gone from Clarion county, and while he 
was canvassing for his company nine others were in process of 
formation in the same territory. So much competition made the 
work slower than was anticipated. He was encourage'd and assisted 
by a number of his patriotic citizens, among whom were Hon. 
James Campbell, Col. Thomas McCulloch, Hon. James Sweny, Daniel 
Delo, Robert Thorne, John C. Reid and John G. McGonagle. The 
last named was the county superintendent of common schools, and 
resigned his office to assist in the work. 

Colonel Alexander Hays had received authority from the War 
Department to organize a regiment at Pittsburgh, and learning that 
Captain Reid was raising a company, he wrote on the 2nd of August, 
inviting him to join 'his regiment, and the invitation was accepted. 

When about sixty were enrolled, the captain fixed upon August 
20th for a rendezvous at Clarion, to hold a three days' encampment 
on the fair grounds, and be ready to march on the morning of the 
23rd. The encampment was held, but when the hour for marching 
came, less than forty were ready to go. The courage of a few had 
failed them, and some were won away by canvassers for other com- 
panies. 

The starting was then postponed till September 5th, with the hope 
that the ranks would be then nearly full. Accordingly, on the 4th of 
September, all the recruits, except those on or near the line of 
march, assembled at Clarion, and at 10 o'clock the next day fell into 
ranks. Judge G-lenni W. Scofield, who was holding court at Clarion, 
swore the men in, and made them an eloquent and patriotic address. 
Then with "Right Face! Forward March!" the column moved off, 
escorted for a mile out of town by Guth's brass band and a large 
concourse of citizens. 

When the recruits on the way were gathered in, the company 
numbered fifty. They were: Bernard J. Reid, John G. McGonagle, 
Lawrence Egan, Joshua H. Delo, George W. Fox, John R. Guthrie, 
George W. McCulloch, John Kuhns, James Waley, David R. Dunmire, 
Daviid Irwin, Thomas H. Martin, Adam Potter, Ami Whitehill, Ben- 
jamin P. Hilliard, James Barr, Andrew Basim, Thomas Bolton, John 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 339 

S. Crooks, John Cyphert, Isaiah K. Dale, James O. Delp, Jacob I. 
Delo, John B. Denslinger, William J. Dunlap, Isaac N. Fenstermaker, 
Thomas M. Frazier, Alexander Goble, William Greenawalt, William 
L. Hall, Charles Harpst, Henry L. Highbarger, Jonas Highbarger, 
John Johnson, Joseph Loll, William McCaskey, Marcus J. McLaugh- 
lin, John Newhouse, Daniel O'Neill, Alfred T. Rence, John Reed, 
Anthony P. Refner, George W. Rhees, Samuel K. Richards, Andrew 
E. Russell, Henry Shoup, Sylvester Straub, John A. Stroup, Abraham 
Wiles and David Woodruff. 

At Curllsville, ten miles distant, a sumptuous out-door dinner 
awaited them, with scores of ladies and hundreds of citizens to wel- 
come them and cheer them on. At Redbank, on the Allegheny 
River, after a march of twenty miles, the company was entertained 
for the night, without charge, at Captain W. P. Connor's hotel. A 
further march of fifteen miles next forenoon brought them to Kit- 
tanning, the then northern terminus of the Allegheny Valley Rail- 
road. 

A mile out from Kittanning, a delegation from Colonel Sirwell's 
regiment (Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers) then forming in 
Camp Orr. met the company and escorted it to their camp for dinner. 
Here a strong but fruitless appeal was made to the captain to join 
that regiment, in which there already were two Clarion county com- 
panies. Taking the afternoon train for Pittsburgh, the company 
reached the old Pike Street station after 'dark. By some mistake 
as to time of arriving, no one came to meet and conduct them to 
camp; and, uncertain of finding accommodations there for his men 
at so late an hour, the captain marched them to the Girard House 
(now the Central) for supper, lodging and breakfast. They entered 
Camp Wilkins the next forenoon, Saturday, September 7th. 

In the afternoon Colonel Hays sent back Captain Reid and George 
W. McCulloch to recruit more men, leaving those in camp in charge 
of John G. McGonagle, who, by common consent, was to be first 
lieutenant. 

On Monday, September 9th, at Clarion, the captain issued hand- 
bills, fixing the following Monday for the rendezvous, and Tuesday, 
September 17th, for the march. In the interim he canvassed the 
northern end of the county and McCulloch the southern, and on the 
17th, according to program, they marched with forty-four recruits, 
as follows: 

John Baumgardner, Henry Beer, William Blair, Franklin Gathers, 
William Campbell, Emanuel Cussins, Philip Daum, Joseph S. Elder, 
Robert S. Elgin, Finady Eshelman, Bernard Faroust, John Gilford, 
John A. Griffin, Philip D. Griffin, James Hamilton, David S. Reiser, 
Michael Kempf, John Lawhead, Gregory Lawrence, Joseph Lichen- 
berger, Jacob Mentzer, Preston H. Moodie, James McCammon, Francis 



340 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

P. McCloskey, James McBride, James McDonald, Hugh P. McKee, 
George W. McMichael, Peter Nugent, Peter O'Neill, William A. Paup, 
George W. Remel, John G. Richards, James Sample, Alden Slocum, 
Christian Smathers, John Stewart, John Thompson, William M. 
Thompson, Anthony Torry, John Tyler, John Vorhauer, William Wil- 
kinson and Curtis C. Zink. 

The march was overland to Redbank the first day, and the next 
morning the squad floated down the river on an oil flat to Kittan- 
ning, and thence by cars to Pittsburgh. At Camp Wilkins it was 
found that the regiment had gone on to Washington, leaving 
Adjutant Corts to look after in-coming recruits. The next afternoon, 
September 19th, Captain Rei'd was sent forward in charge of his 
own recruits and a number for other companies, and after a day's 
delay at Harris'burg, waiting for a troop train, rejoined the regiment 
at Camp Hays, in the northern suburbs of Washington, on Saturday, 
September 21st. 

On the 2 3rd the company election was held. B. J. Reid and John 
G. McGonagle were unanimously elected captain and first lieutenant. 
Lawrence Egan and George W. McCulloch competed for the second 
lieutenancy. The choice fell upon Egan. Joshua H. Delo and Curtis 
C. Zink were a tie for orderly, anid the former was appointed. The 
other appointments were as follows: Second sergeant, C. C. Zink; 
third sergeant, G. W. Fox; fourth sergeant, John R. Guthrie; fifth 
sergeant, George W. McCulloch; first corporal, John Kuhns; second 
corporal, R. S. Elgin; third corporal, James Waley; fourth corporal, 
David R. Dunmire; fifth corporal, David Irwin; sixth corporal, 
Thomas H. Martin; seventh corporal, Adam Potter; eighth corporal, 
John Stewart. Musicians, Ami Whitehill and B. P. Hilliard. Team- 
ster, P. H. Moodie. 

Here the company received its letter and place in line, — the centre 
of the left wing, between D and H, — and its arms, but no uniforms. 
On Saturday evening, September 2 8th, the regiment was ordered 
across the Potomac to the Virginia side. It was at first assigned to 
Franklin's brigade and went into Camp Shields, about three miles 
from Alexandria, on the Leesburg turnpike, where it remained two 
weeks. Here the company received its uniforms, and on the 9th of 
'October was formally mustered into the United States service by 
Lieutenant C. W. Tolles, Thirteenth United States Infantry. 

On the 14th the regiment moved south four miles to Camp John- 
son, beyond Fort Lyon, on the roaid from Alexandria to Mount Ver- 
non. We were now in Jameson's brigade of Heintzelman's division, 
holding the extreme left of the Union lines. 

During the fall six new recruits entered the company, viz: Stew- 
art W. Fulton, Eliphas Highbarger, Anthony Greenawalt and Jacob 
Rinard, from Clarion county, and Joseph B. Kiddoo and David 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THFRU REGIMENT 341 

Shields, from Sewickley, Allegheny county. When these latter two 
reported to Colonel Hays as recruits tor his regiment, he assigned 
them to Company F, which they joined as privates. The roll of the 
company, hereto appende'd, will show an exceptionally honorable 
record for both. Shields was discharged, in 1864, with the rank 
of captain, at the age of 20, for wounds received in action; and 
Kiddoo rose to the rank of Brigadier General in the Regular Army. 

The first man in the regiment "wounded in action" and pensioned 
for it, was Private John Lawhead, of this company. He was oi-'dered 
by the sergeant of the guard to assist in arresting Private Connolly, 
of Company H, who was drunk and disorderly. In the struggle, Con- 
nolly kicked him in the eye so severely that he was sent to the hos- 
pital and fianlly lost his eye. 

Company F was the first of the regiment detailed for picket duty. 
On the last night of October, Captain Reid was ordered to report 
in the morning to General Jameson with three lieutenants, 100 men 
and two ^ays' rations, to be sent to relieve a company of Colonel 
Lujeane's regiment, on the picket lines, near Acotink Creek, eight 
miles out. Lieutenant Taylor, of Company C, volunteered as the 
third lieutenant, and some men were borrowed from other com- 
panies to make up the one hundred. In the morning General Jame- 
son furnished the captain with printed grand-guard instructions, and 
said tliat in the afternoon the brigade officer of the day wouM visit 
the lines to give the countersign and other special instructions. The 
day was beautiful and the march out was like going on a picnic. 
The eleven posts to be relieved covered about a mile of front. The 
officers and men were distributed among the posts as directed, with 
a lieutenant, sergeant and sixteen men as a reserve at the head- 
quarters' post. Night came, but no brigade officer or countersign, 
so a countersign was improvised for the emergency, and the cap- 
tain made the rounds, to give it, with other cautions, to the men. 
The darkness was intense, a cold rain began to fall in torrents and 
the wind blew a furious storm. He had hardly returned from the 
rounds when a shot was fired at the first post on the right, occupied 
by some cf the borrowed men. Going to learn the cause he was told 
that a man was seen in front who did not halt when challenged. 
He doubted the story, knowing that with green men, on such a night, 
a waving bush, a ghost-like stump or a falling twig might be mis- 
taken for an enemy. Renewing his cautionings he returned to 
headquarters, and soon heard two shots at the same post. Again he 
went to investigate. The story of seeing men in front was repeated. 
He repeated his cautions, with hints of a court-martial if there were 
any more false alarms. In another half hour four shots in rapid suc- 
cession were heard at the same place. The reserves were put under 
arms, but the silence that ensued was proof that it was only another 



342 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

false alarm, and they were dismissed to sleep, if sleep were possible 
without shelter in such a night. The mischief had now been done, 
and began to bear its dreaded fruit. As all the men were alike, raw 
and untried, other posts caught the contagion, and the firing became 
pretty general. In the morning the captain relieved the borrowed 
men at the post where the firing started, distributing them among 
other posts, and on the second night there were no false alarms. 
After one night's experience the men of Company F became veterans 
on picket. The next company sent out from the regiment had a 
much worse experience. In consequence of a similar panic, they 
brought hack a private killed and a sergeant wounded. 

About the middle of November Second Lieutenant Egan resigned, 
and on the 22nd, Sergeant George W. McCulloch was promoted to fill 
the vacancy. 

On Novem'ber 2 8th Company F was again sent on picket to the 
same place. The farm houses of Pollman and Cash were just inside 
the picket line. These families were suspected of being in corres- 
pondence with the enemy on the Occoquan, a few miles beyond our 
lines. On this occasion Captain Reid had special instructions to let 
nobody out without a pass of even date, signed by General McClellan. 
Towards evening two ladies and a boy drove up on their return from 
Alexandria, having gone in that morning. They presented a pass 
signed by General Montgomery, in command at Alexandria, "good 
for the month of November." The captain refused to pass them. 
They expostulated, but to no purpose. They put up for the night 
at Cash's, and in the morning sent for the captain and renewed 
their eloquent pleading to be allowed to proceed to their homes. 
One of them said she had left an infant at home and that it was 
inhumian thus to keep a mother from her child. The captain replied 
thalt as he had left five infants at home, he could sympathize with 
her, but could not disobey orders. He offered, however, to have her 
baby brought to her if she would write an order for it, but she 
rejected the offer with disdain. In making it he strongly suspected 
that the alleged babe was a myth. The prisoners were detained at 
Cash's until Major Dick, of the One Hundred and Fifth, the brigade 
officer of the day, came along in the afternoon, and were then turned 
over to him. 

In the evening of that second day, with all his caution. Captain 
Reid was thrown off his guard and surprised on picket. Returning 
from his rounds to the central post at dusk, he was told by the ser- 
geant that a farmer living across the fields, outside the lines, had 
called an hour before and left word that he wanted to see the officer 
in command, that evening, on important business. He had declined 
to disclose anything to the sergeant or to any one but the command- 
ing officer in person. It was growing dark and the captain had not 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 343 

yet had supper. Over his coffee his mind kept running on the mys- 
terious message of the farmer. To go to see him might be to fall 
into a trap and be captured; yet not to go, might be to reject prof- 
fered intelligence of vital importance to our army. Tomorrow might 
be too late. He decided to take the risk and go. In the dim star- 
light he took with him a sergeant and fifteen men fully armed, and 
crossed the fields to the orchard near the farm house. Here he 
stationed the sergeant and nine men, as a reserve. He left four at 
the gate, and the remaining two on the porch, with orders to burst 
the door in on a given signal. Close to the house yawned the 
wooded ravine of Acotink, dark and gloomy, — just the place for an 
ambuscade. Adjusting his revolver belt, he knocked and was 
admitted. No one was visible inside but the farmer, his wife and 
children. Declining an offered seat, the captain said he preferred 
to receive standing any communication his host had to make, — 
eyeing, at the same time, an interior door that stood ajar. Then 
said the farmer: "The company that was here before you'ns, bor- 
rowed my axe and didn't fetch it back. I want you to see General 
Heintzleman and ax him about it, as I need it bad." 

With a promise to "ax about it" the captain gravely bade good 
night, and marched back with his detachment without the loss of 
a man, — but never made any official report of how he was surprised 
on picket. 

Skirmish drill in the fine fall weather created a demand for 
buglers. Company F proved to have a first-class one in the person 
of Private Joseph Lichenberger, whose proficiency attracted notice, 
and he was soon promoted to brigade bugler. In this capacity he 
rendered valuable services, not only as bugler, but also as an efficient 
aide or orderly, as occasion required. 

Early in December, as the weather grew colder, this company set 
the example of converting their A tents into comfortable winter 
quarters, by means of an underpinning of poles built log-cabin 
fashion, and by fire places and chimneys of brick, sticks and mortar. 
With snug raised berths and other ingeniously contrived fixtures, 
their quarters became quite cozy and home-like. 

The last days of December, Company F picketed on the extreme 
left, near Mount Vernon. The house of Mr. Wright, a Quaker and 
staunch Union man, who had suffered much at the hands of the 
rebels before our lines were extended, was near headquarters, and 
the officers got their meals 'there. While picketing here, a man giv- 
ing his name as Planchet came to the lines asking protection. The 
captain suspected him to be a spy, but Mr. Wright vouched for him 
as a true Union man who had escaped from a Richmond prison. He 
"was turned over to General Heinzleman and became very useful as 
a guiide. 



344 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

January 11, 1862, the whole regiment went on picket for three 
days, covering seven miles of front. A detail of twenty-five men 
from Company F, under Orderly Delo, with similar details from other 
companies, went on a midnight scout nearly to the rebel camps on 
the Occoquan, and brought in twelve prisoners. 

O'n the 20th of January, 1862, Captain Reid, of this company; 
Sergeant R. Howard Millar, of Company E, and Sergeant William 
McLeary, of Company K, were ordered to report at Harrisburg to 
Captain R. I. Dodge, Eighth United States Infantry, superintendent 
of recruiting service for Pennsylvania. By Captain Dodge's orders 
they established a recruiting station at Clarion, and Captain Reid 
sent the sergeants to establish branch stations in Allegheny and 
Mercer counties. 

During February there were newspaper rumors of impending 
movements, and Captain Reid made repeated requests to be relieved 
from recruiting service. The order finally came just in time to 
enable him to rejoin his company at Alexandria when embarking 
for Fortress Monroe, on the 17t'h of March. 

Among the recruits thus obtained for this and other regiments, 
William Minser, Jonathan McCurdy, Barney MeOann, Martin Castner 
and Andrew McDonald, all from Clarion county, were assigned to 
Company F. Alpheus A. George, also from Clarion, joined a month 
later. 

In the Peninsular campaign this company had its full share of 
hardships and casualties. On a reconnoisance made on the 9th of 
April, in front of Yorktown, by six companies of the Sixty-third, 
led by General Jameson, Colonel Hays and Lieutenant Colonel Mor- 
gan, — Sergeant David Irwin, of Company F, was killed, — the first of 
our regiment to fall on the Peninsula. 

On the 11th of April the regiment was on picket, holding a line 
of three miles, in front of the enemy's works. At 3 o'clock, while 
Colonel Hays was gallantly repulsing an attack on the right wing 
at the Peach Orchard, a bold dash was made on the left, against 
that part of the^line occupied by Companies H and P, opposite the 
enemy's earthworks at Wynn's Mills, about one thousand five hun- 
dred yards distant across cleared fields. The rebel skirmishers came 
across the field on the run, supported by reserves who opened a brisk 
fusilade on the pickets. This brought the reserves of those two 
companies to the front, and in a short time their well-directed fire 
drove the enemy hack to cover. At sun'down the assault was 
repeated with the same result. On both occasions our picket line 
was vigorously shelled from the earthworks in front. During the 
second attack, observing a body of skirmishers approaching under 
cover of intervening clumps of bushes. Captain Reid improvised a 
signal station by climbing a small tree at the edge of the field, to 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 345 

get a bird's eye-view and to direct better tlie fire of his men. We 
had no casualties on the left. On the right, at the Peach Orchard, 
two of the regiment were killed and two wounded. 

On the night of May 3rd, Companies B, D, F and H were detailed 
for the perilous duty of digging rifle pits, to be occupied by sharp- 
shooters, at a spot selected within about 500 yards of the enemy's 
principal fort, to silence their heavy guns during the bombardment 
about to open. On two previous nights the details for this work 
had been driven off. Soon after dark General Jameson and Lieuten- 
ant Colonel Morgan led the little band to the causeway over 
Wormsley's Creek and halted it there till the moon should set, near 
midnight. During those three hours a fierce shelling from the rebel 
works filled the air with screaming missiles. The luminous track of 
the shells and their bursting overhead or plunging into the pool 
nearby, was a grand sight. When the moon went down, the expe- 
dition moved up to the ^head of the creek, nearest the fort, passed 
our picket line and halted just under the crest, within 200 yards of 
the spot selected. Here Companies D and H were left as a reserve. 
Company B was furnished spades and shovels for the work, and to 
Company F was given the post of honor. It was deployed to clear the 
way and hold the groun'J one hundred paces beyond the pits until 
completed. When it moved off General Jameson said: "My God! 
it is hard, but it must be done;" so sure was he that a bloody 
encounter was inevitable. Captain Reid, by whispered orders, 
marched his men to the point indicated, and directed them to lie 
low and watch. 

By 3:30 o'clock the pits were completed Meanwhile the guns in 
the fort furiously swept the horizon with shot and shell. The fort 
was so near that the ramming of the guns and the orders to the 
gunners were distinctly heard. The pits were masked with pine 
boughs, and the sharpshooters, with their provisions and ammuni- 
tion, placed in them and left to their fate. The four companies 
silently withdrew, and when once more sheltered in the ravine of 
Wormsley's Creek they received General Jameson's warmest congrat- 
ulations on the success of their expedition. The camp was reached 
near daybreak, and shortly after the men had lain down for a nap 
vociferous cheering was heard through the camps. Yorktown'was 
evacuated! The guns during the night had been worked by a small 
rear guard left in the fort as a blind, to cover the retreat which was 
going on all night. 

Company F was the only com])any of the regiment that had supper 
or breakfast on the battlefield of Williamsburg the night of the 5th, 
and morning of the 6th of May. It had rained for twenty-four hours, 
and the passage of both armies had left the road in a dreadful con- 
dition. On the afternoon of the 5th, while marching to the music 



346 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

of the roar of battle, three miles distant, the regiment was halted 
and ordered to unsling knapsacks, haversacks, canteens and blankets, 
and double-quick into action. After a run of two miles it was sent 
on a detour to the left, as part of a flanking column, and then coun- 
termarched to the front again on a double-quick, and pushed forward, 
arriving at the front just as night was falling. With the darkness 
the firing slackened and soon ceased, and we lay on our arms in line 
of battle, ready to reopen the fray at daybreak. With the men's 
rations three miles in the rear, the road an almost bottomless stream 
of mud and water, the nig*ht wet and cold, an'd the men worn out 
by double-quicking, the problem was, how they were to be refreshed 
for the impending battle of tomorrow? To solve it. Captain Reid 
called for volunteers to go with him to bring up the haversacks and 
canteens. Ten of his men responded, and he led them through the 
deep mud and pitch darkness to the spot where three me'n of each 
company had been left to guard the cast-off rations and equipments. 
Here, after refreshing themselves with hot coffee, the little band 
loaded themselves up with the haversacks and fresh filled canteens of 
themselves and their comrades in the front, and, each armed with 
a ilong staff to steady himself through the holes and pools of the 
treacherous roa'd, — toiled slowly back, reaching their hungry com- 
rades about 2 a. m. 

At Cumberland Landing, on May 17th, seven of this company were 
reported present sick and eighteen absent sick. On the 22nd, at 
Baltimore Cross Roads, fourteen were reported present sick and 
sixteen absent sick. 

At the battle of Pair Oaks, May 31st, only forty-seven all told, 
officers and men, were able to endure the double-quick march of four 
miles that took us into battle. Orderly J. H. Delo, Sergeant R. S. 
Elgin and Private G. W. Rhees were killed; Privates James McCam- 
mon, Peter O'Neill, Peter Nugent and Frank McCloskey were 
woun'ded, the latter mortally; and James McDonald, Andrew McDon- 
ald and Jonathan McCurdy taken prisoners. 

On June 15th, out of a total roll of 93, there were 3 present sick, 
59 absent sick and wounded, 3 on permanent and 7 on temporary 
detached duty, and only 19 men and 2 officers present for duty. But 
on the 19th, 11 returned from hospitals, and with better weather 
the health of the men improved considerably. 

On the ideath of First Lieutenant John G. McGonagle, at Division 
hospital, near Meadow Station, Va., June 21, 1862, Second Lieuten- 
ant George W. McCullodh was promoted to first lieutenant, and 
Sergeant George W. Fox to second lieutenant. 

Lieutenant Colonel Morgan having been severely wounded at Fair 
Oaks, and Major Kirkwood being absent sick, Captain Reid served 
as major through the battles and movements that transferred the 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 347 

army from the Chickahominy to the James River, Lieutenant George 
W. McCuIloch taking his place in command of Company F. 

In the advance of the Third Corps on the 25th of June, (the first 
of the "Seven Days' Battles"), this company had Private William 
Greenawalt killed and Privates Philip D. Griffin, John Johnson and 
Anthony Greenawalt wounded, each of the two last losing an arm. 
There were no more casualties till the Battle of Glendale, June 30th, 
wihen Privates Charles Harpst, John Thompson and Jacob I. Delo 
were wounded, the latter mortally. 

While the army lay at Harrison's Lauding, Captain Rei'd was 
honorably discharged on the 1st of August, 1862. First Lieutenant 
McCulloch was promoted to captain. Second Lieutenant Fox to first 
lieutenant. Under Captain McCulloch and his lieutenants, this com- 
pany sustained its reputation for bravery, good discipline and endur- 
ance. 

The deaths in Company F, (other than those alrea'dy mentioned), 
from its organization till the army was withdrawn from the Penin- 
sula, were as follows: Christian Smathers, at Alexandria, March 
18th; Thomas M. Frazier, April 15th, and Franklin Gathers, April 
22nd, both in front of Yorktown; Corporal Dunmire, May 31st; 
David W'oodruff, June 11th; William A. Paup, June 12th, and John 
Reed, June 2 4th, all at hospital near Meadow Station; John Baum- 
gardner, June 30th, near Savage Station; Marcus J. McLaughlin, 
July 3rd, and Sergeant Curtis C. Zink, August 10th, both at 
Harrison's Landing. Private George W. McMichael, who was left 
sick June 2 9th, at Division hospital, near Savage Station, (along 
with Private Baumgardner above named), unable to be removed, 
was captured and died at Richmond, September 20th; and Sergeant 
John Kuhns, sent sick from Harrison's Landing, died at Philadel- 
I)hia, Pa., September 26, 1862. Private Henry L. Highbarger died 
September 3, 1862, at hospital near Fortress Monroe. 

William Elder and James Truby joined as recruits from Clarion 
county, August 18, 1862. 

At Second Bull Run, August 29, 1862, Company F suffered 
severely. Sergeant John R. Guthrie and Privates Henry Shoup and 
Jc'hn Thompson were killed, and First Lieutenant George W. Fox, 
Sergeant James Waley, Corporal Thomas H. Martin and Privates 
Martin Castner, Joseph S. Elder, Eliphas Highbarger, Daniel O'Neill, 
Alfred T. Rence, John G. Richards and James Sample were wounded. 

At Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862, Private Benjamin P. 
Hilliard was slightly wounded, and Private William M. Thompson 
taken prisoner. 

At Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863, Captain McCulloch, Lieutenant 
Fenstermaker, Corporals A. P. Refner and Joseph Loll and Privates 
Stewart W. Fulton and James McDonald were wounded. 



34S UNDER THE RED PATCH 

At Gettysburg, July 3, 1S63, Lieutenant Fenstermaker, Sergeant 
John A. Griffin and Privates Adam Potter and P. D. Griffin were 
wounded. 

In September, 1863, twenty-five conscripts (drafted from Western 
Pennsylvania in July and September) joined this company for duty, 
viz.: Andrew Alderman, John F. Amment, Conrad Barstock, James 
Bryan, Robert H. Bruce, Thomas Bryant, Harrison Oallen, James 
Curtin, John Donley, Adam Fry, Shadrach Fuller, James Gallagher, 
Archibald Gilchrist, George B. Hartzel, John Heffelfinger, Jonathan 
P. Johnson, William Klink, John Leech, James McGeary, Joseph 
Orbin, Silas Shall, George Shivers, Philip Sutton, Adam Wentzel and 
James Wilson. 

In November, 1863, Archy Jones joined as a recruit from Indiana 
county, and in January, February and March, 1864, nine other 
recruits were assigned to this company, viz.: Michael Ferguson, 
John Gilchrist, John Huck, James R. Loudon, Robert McBride, John 
McDonald, David McKibben, Thomas McMunn and James W. Shawl. 

At Morton's Ford, February 6, 1864. Lieutenant David Shields, 
of this company, serving as aide to General Alexander Hays, was 
severely wounded. , 

In no battle of the war did this company suffer so severely as at 
the Wilderness, Va., May 5 and 6, 1864. Its late captain, George 
W. McCulloch, promoted to major only a month before, succeeded to 
the comman'd of the regiment in the second day's fight, and was 
killed while gallantly charging the enemy. The company casualties 
were Sergeant James Waley, Corporal James Hamilton, and Privates 
James Wilson and James Gallagher, killed; Sergeants A. P. Refner, 
John A. Griffin and William L. Hall, Corporals Joseph Loll, William 
Blair and James McBride, and Privates John Cyphert, Andrew Basim, 
Adam Fry, John B. Denslinger, William Elder, Harrison Callen, G. B. 
Hartzel, Gregory Lawrence, Archy Jones, Hugh P. McKee, Michael 
Ferguson, William M. Thompson, Anthony Torry and James R. 
Loudon were wounded. Of the wounded. Corporal Denslinger was 
missing, an'd Corporal Blair and Privates Basim, William Elder and 
Harrison Callen died soon after of their wounds. Private Jonas 
Highbarger was mortally wounded at Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864. 

At North Anna, May 23, 1864, Privates J. O. Delp and Gregory 
Lawrence were wounded. 

In the operations before Petersburg, in 1864, only five of this 
company were wounded, viz.: First Lieutenant Fenstermaker, June 
16; Private Joseph Orbin, June 22; Private Adam Wentzell, August 
14; Private Anthony Torry, in September, losing a foot, and Private 
William J. Dunlap, November 1st, losing an eye. 

In an engagement at Boydton Plank Road, Va., OctoOjer 2 7, 1864, 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 349 

Private Andrew Alderman was wounded, and Corporal Alexander 
Goble and Private Peter B. Hartzell were v/ounded and captured. 

When the five soldiers last named were wounded they were serving 
in Company H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers, to which they, with thirty-two others of Company F, had 
been transferred. On the 7th of September, 1864, twelve members 
of Company F (all of the original members, who were present for 
duty and had not re-enlisted as veterans) were mustered out with 
the regiment, their term of enlistment having expired. Those present 
for duty and not thus mustered out were transferred provisionally 
to the Ninety-ninth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and, on the 
19th, to the One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, in which they 
remained until finally discharged. 

ROSTER. 

BERNARD J. REID, Captain — Mustered in September 23, 1861. 
Honorably discharged August 1, 1862; re-enlisted June 26, 1863, 
as Captain of Company D, Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania Militia; 
commissioned Major, July 8, 1863. Mustered out with regi- 
ment. Died Pittsburgh, Pa., November 15, 1904. Buried Cal- 
vary cemetery, Pittsburgh. 

CxEORGE W. Mcculloch, captain — ^Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Promoted to Sergeant, September 23, 1861; to Second Lieuten- 
ant, November 22, 1861; to First Lieutenant, June 23, 1862; to 
Captain, August 4, 1862. Wounded at Chancellorsville, May 3, 
1863; promoted to Major, April 5, 1864. Killed in Wilderness, 
May 6, 1864. Buried at Arlington cemtel'y, tomb 522 5. 

DAVID SHIELDS, Captain — Mustered in October 15, 1861. Pro- 
moted from private to Corporal, June 1, 1862; to Sergeant, 
September, 1862; to Second Lieutenant, to date from August 4, 
1862; detailed by special order No. 9, A. G. office, January 7, 

1863, as personal aid-'de-camp to General Alexander Hays; com- 
missioned Captain, April 5, 1864. Wounded in right leg at 
Glendale, Va., June 30, 1862; in right shoulder by piece of 
shell, at Gettysburg, Pa., July 3, 1863, and through left breast 
and in right foot, at Morton's Ford, Va., February 6, 1864, an 
explosive bullet passing through the lung and pericardium, 
exploding immediately at its exit from the body, leaving numer- 
ous pieces of lead on outer edge of wound. Discharged June 9, 

1864, on account of wounds received in action. 

JOHN G. McGONAGLE, First Lieutenant — Mustered in September 
23, 1861. Died of typhoid pneumonia near Meadow Station, 
Va., June 21, 1862. 

CWORGE W. POX, First Lieutenant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Promoted to Sergeant, September 23, 1861; to First Sergeant, 
June 1, 1862; to Second Lieutenant, June 23, 1862; to First 
Lieutenant, August 4, 1862. Discharged March 1, 1863, for 
wounds received at Second Bull Run, Va., August 29. 1862. 
Commissioned to First Lieutenant in Invalid Corps, September, 
1863; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, 18G4. Honorably 
discharged November, 1865. 



350 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

ISAAC N. FENSTERMAKER, First Lieutenant. Mustered in August 
1, 1861. Promoted to Corporal, June 30, 18G2; to First Ser- 
geant, August 30, 1862; to First Lieutenant, February 22, 1863. 
Wounded at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863; at Gettysburg, July 
3, 1863; at Petersburg, Va., June 16, 1864. Discliarged July 
23, 1864. Died at Clarion, Pa., December 27, 1877. 

LAWRENCE EGAN, Second Lieutenant- — Mustered in September 2 3, 

1861. Elected Second Lieutenant, September 23, 1861; resigned 
November 19, 1861. Died at hospital, Baltimore, 1862. 

JOSHUA H. DELO, First Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 

Appointed First Sergeant, September 23, 1861. Killed at Fair 

Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. 
CURTIS C. ZINK, First Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 

Appointed Second Sergeant, September 23, 1861; promoted to 

First Sergeant, June 23, 1862. Died at Harrison's Landing, Va., 

August 10, 1862. 

JOSEPH B. KIDDOO, First Sergeant — Mustered in November 1, 1861. 
Promoted to Fifth Corporal, November 22, 1861; to Corporal, 
April 12, 1862; to Fourth Sergeant, June 1, 1862; to First 
Sergeant, August 10, 1862, and detailed on recruiting service. 
August 25, 1862, commissioned Lieutenant Colonel One Hun- 
dred and Thirty-seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers; 
Colonel, March 15, 1863. Mustered out June 1, 1863. Com- 
missioned Major, Sixth United States Colored Troops, October 
5, 1863; Colonel, Twenty-second United States Colored Troops, 
January 6, 1864; wounded in action at Fair Oaks, Va., October 
27, 1864; Brigadier General of Volunteers by brevet, June 15, 
1865; and Major General Volunteers by brevet, September 4, 
1865, "for gallant and meritorious service during the war;" 
Lieutenant Colonel Forty-third Infantry, U. S. A., July 28, 1866; 
Colonel by brevet, March 2, 1867, "for gallant and meritorious 
service in the assault on Petersburg, Va., June 15, 1864; 
Brigadier General, U. S. A., by brevet, March 2, 1867, "for 
gallant and meritorious service in action at Fair Oaks, Va., 
October 27, 1864;" retired with rank of Brigadier General, U. 
S. A., December 15, 1870, "for wounds received in line of duty." 
Died holding that rank, at New York City, August 18, 1880. 

JOHN R. GUTHRIE, First Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Appointed Fourth Sergeant, September 23, 1861; promoted to 
Third Sergeant, June 1, 1862; to First Sergeant, August 10, 

1862. Killed at Second Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. 
JAMES WALEY, First Sergeant. Mustered in August 1, 1861. 

Appointed Third Corporal, September 23, 1861; promoted to 
Second Corporal, April 12, 1862; to First Corporal, June 1, 
1862; to Sergeant, July 15, 1862. Wounded at Second Bull 
Run, Va., August 29, 1862. Promoted to First Sergeant, Novem- 
iber, 1863. Re-enlisted as Veteran Volunteer, December 28, 

1863. Killed at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. 
ANTHONY P. REFNER, First Sergeant. — Mustered in August 1, 

1861. Promoted to Corporal, April, 1863. Wounded at Chancel- 
lorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. Promoted to Second Sergeant, Octo- 
ber 31, 1863. Re-enlisted as Veteran Volunteer. Wounded at 
Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Promoted to First Sergeant, 
May, 1864. Transferred to Company K, One Hundred and Fifth 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since the war. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 351 

WILLIAM L. HALL, Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 18 CI. Pro- 
moted to Corporal, June 1, 1862; to Second Sergeant, October, 
1863. Wounded at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Discharged 
for wounds, October 25, 1864. Died in Kansas, about 1875. 

MICHAEL KEMPF, Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Pro- 
moted to Corporal, 1862; to Sergeant, .luly 18, 1863; to Third 
Sergeant, October, 1863. Veteran Volunteer. Transferred to 
Comi)any H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. 

JOHN A. GRIFFIN, Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Pro- 
moted to Eighth Corporal, April 12, 1862; to Third Corporal, 
June 3, 1862; to Sergeant, November, 1862. Wounded at 
Gettysburg, July 3, 1863; wounded and captured at Wilderness, 
Va., May 6. 1864. Mustered out with company. Died at Red- 
bank, Pa., April 25, 1866. 

DAVID IRWIN, Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted 
to Corporal, September 23, 1861; to Sergeant, November 22, 

1861. Killed in a reconnoissance near Yorktown, Va., April 9, 

1862. Buried at Reidsburgh, Pa. 

ROBERT S. ELGIN, Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Appointed First Corporal, September 23, 1861; promoted to 
Sergeant, April 12, 1862. Killed at Fair Oaks, Va., Mav 31, 
1862. 

JOHN KUHNS, Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Appointed 
First Corporal. September 23, 1861 ; promoted to Sergeant, June 
1, 1862. Died at hospital,, Philadelphia, Pa., September 26, 
1862. 

JAMES McBRIDE, Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Pro- 
moted to Second Cori)oral, October, 18 63. Veteran Volunteer. 
Wounded at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864, and at Saylor Creek, 
Va. Transferred to Company H, One Hundred and Fifth Regi- 
ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

JAMES SAMPLE, Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded 
at Second Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. Veteran Volunteer. 
Transferred to Company H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, 
Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

JOSEPH LOLL, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to 
Corporal, April, 1863; to First Corporal, November 1, 1863. 
Wounded at Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. Re-enlisted as 
Veteran Volunteer. Wounded at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. 
Transferred to Company H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, 
Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died June 7, 1897, at Fryburg, 
Clarion county. Pa. 

THOMAS H. MARTIN, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Appointed Sixth Corporal, September 23, 1861, and detailed as 
color guard. Promoted to Fifth Corporal, April 12, 1862; to 
Second Corporal, June 1, 1862. Wounded at Second Bull Run, 
Va., August 29, 1862. Discharged on account of wounds, Octo- 
ber 31, 1862. Died at Minneapolis, Minn., while marching 
in parade, National Encampment G. A. R. Buried Washington, 
D. C. 

DAVID R. DUNMIRE, Corpora? — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Appointed Fourth Corporal, September 23, 1861; promoted to 
Third Corpooral, April 12, 1862. Died of fever in camp hos- 
pital near Meadow Station, Va., May 31, 1862. 



352 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

ADAM POTTER, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Appointed 
Seventh Corporal, September 2 3, 1861. Captured near New 
Kent Court House, Va., June 30, 1862. Wounded at Gettys- 
burg, July 3, 1863. Transferred to Company K, Ninth Veteran 
Reserve Corps, December 22, 1863; to Thirty-second Company, 
Second Battalion Veteran Reserve Corps. 

JOHN STEWART, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Appointed 
Eighth Corporal, September 23, 1861; promoted to Seventh Cor- 
poral, April 12, 1862. Dischai'ged for disability June 21, 1862. 
Died since the war. 

HUGH P. McKBE, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted 
to Fourth Corporal, June 1, 1862. Wounded at Wilderness, 
Va., May 5, 1864. Mustered out with company. 

STEWART .W. FULTON, Corporal — Mustered in October 15, 1861. 
Wounded at Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863; promoted to 
Third Corporal, May, 1863. Veteran Volunteer. Transferred to 
Company H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. 

ALEXANDER GOBLE, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Pro- 
moted to Corporal, 1863. Veteran Volunteer. Transferred to 
Company H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Wounded at Hatcher's Run, Va., October 27, 1864. 

JOHN NEWHOUSE, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Pro- 
moted to Fifth Corporal, December 28, 1863. Veteran Volun- 
teer. Transferred to Company H, One Hundred and Fifth 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Wounded and captured at 
Boydton Plank Road, Va., October 2 7, 1864. 

JAMES HAMILTON, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Pro- 
moted to Corporal, 1863. Killed at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 
1864. 

WILLIAM BLAIR, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted 
to Corporal, 1863. Died at Fredericksburg, Va., May 21, 1864, 
of wounds received at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Buried 
National cemetery, Arlington, Va., grave 7 69. 

JOHN B. DENSLINGER, Corporal — Mustered in August 1. 1861. 
Promoted to Corporal, 1864. Wounded and missing in action at 
Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Fate unknown. 

JAMES Mcdonald, corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Cap- 
tured at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. Exchanged September 
13, 1862. Promote:d to Corporal, May 1, 1863. Wounded at 
Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. Discharged August 28, 

1863, on surgeon's certificate. Died Clarion, Pa., 1890. 

JONATHAN McCURDY, Corporal — Joined company February 27, 
1862. Captured at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. Veteran 
Volunteer. Transferred to Company H, One Hundred and Fifth 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

JAMES TRUBY, Corporal — Mustered in August 18, 1862. Trans- 
ferred to Company H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers. Wounded at Spottsylvania, Va., May 12, 

1864, and at Hatcher's Run, Va., October 27, 1864. 

JOHN HUCK, Corporal — Enlisted February 27, 1864. Transferred 
to Company H, Que Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 353 

AMI WHITEHILL, Fifer — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered 
out with company. Died 1900. 

BENJAMIN P. HILLIARD, Drummer— Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Transferred to ranks October 26, 1861. Wounded at Fredericks- 
burg, Va., December 13, 1862. Mustered out with company. 

PRESTON H. MOODIE, Teamster — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Transferred to ranks May 1, 1862. Discharged January 27, 
1863, for disability. Died since the war. 

JOSEPH LICHENBERGER, Bugler — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Enlisted as private. Appointed Company Bugler, October, 1861; 
soon after, Regimental Bugler; Brigade Bugler, 1862; Division 
Bugler, 1863. Veteran Volunteer. Transferred to non-com- 
missioned field and staff as Fife Major, August 1, 1864. Died 
in Clarion county. Pa., May 18, 1875. 

PRIVATES. 

JAMES BARR — ^Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on sui-- 
geon's certificate, December 10, 18 62. Died since the war. 

ANDREW BASIM — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded with 
loss of leg at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Died at Fredericks- 
burg, Va., May 18, 1864. 

JOHN BAUMGARDNER — ^Mustered in August 1, 1861. Captured 
sick, and died near Fair Oaks, Va., June 30, 1862. 

HENRY BEER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, O'ctober 31, 1862. 

THOMAS BOLTON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged for 
disability, February 11, 1863. Died since the war. 

WILLIAM CAMPBELL — Mustered in August. 1, 1861. Discharged 
for disability, September 2 5, 1862. 

JOHN S. CROOKS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died at Potomac 
Creek, Va., June 3, 1863. 

EMANUEL CUSSINS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged for 
disability, September 2 9, 1862. Died since the war. 

JOHN CYPHERT — ^Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Mustered out with company. 
Died since the war. 

MARTIN CASTNER — Mustered in March 14, 1862. Wounded at 
Second Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. Discharged January 
18, 1863. Died March 27, 1902, at North Pine Grove, Pa. 

ISAIAH K. DALE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out with 
.company. 

JAMES O. DELP — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Veteran Volunteer. 
Wounded at North Anna, Va., May 23, 1864. Transferred 
to Company H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. 

WILLIAM J. DUNLAP — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Veteran 
Volunteer. Transferred to Company H, One Hundred and Fifth 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Wounded with loss of 
right eye at Peters])urg, Va., November 1. 1864. Captured 
November 1, 1864. Served thi-ee months in Libby Prison. Dis- 
charged July 29, 1865. 



354 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

PHILIP DAUM — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died May 10, 1863, 
at Potomac Creek, Va. 

JACOB 1. DELO — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at Glen- 
dale, Va., June 30, 1862. Taken prisoner July 1, 1862. Died 
November 28, 1862, at Wilkinsburg, Pa. 

SHUGART J. ELDER — Mustered i'n August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Second Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, November 22, 1862. Died since the war. 

FINADY ESHELMAN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died at 
Washington, D. C, en route home on sick furlough, April 25, 

1863. Buried in Military Asylum cemetery, Washington, D. C, 
grave 4 303. 

WILLIAM ELDER — Enlisted September 1, 1862. Mortally wounded 
at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Died May 30, 1864, and 
buried in National cemetery, Arlington, Va., grave 600. 

BERNARD FAROUST— Mustered in August 1, 1861. Transferred 
to Veteran Reserve Corps, September 16, 1863. Died since the 
war. 

THOMAS M. FRAZIER — Mustered in August 1, 18 61. Died in camp 

near Yorktown, Va., April 15, 1862. 
MICHAEL FERGUSON — Enlisted March 28, 1864. Wounded at 

Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Transferred to Company H, One 

Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 
JOHN GILFORD — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out with 

company. 

WILLIAM GREENAWALT — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed in 
action near Fair Oaks, Va., June 25, 1862. 

ANTHONY GREENAWALT — Enlisted November 15, 1861. W^ounded 
with loss of arm near Fair Oaks, Va., June 25, 1862. Dis- 
charged August 8, 1862. Died at Clarion, Pa., November 17, 
1892. 

PHILIP D. GRIFFIN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded near 
Fair Oaks, Va., June 25, 1862, and at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. 
Transferred to Company H, Twenty-fourth Regiment, Volunteer 
Reserve Corps. Discharged on account of wounds. May 20, 

1864. Died National Military Home, Ohio, December 15, 1903. 
Grave 28, section N, row 19. 

ALPHEUS A. GEORGE — Enlisted April 13, 1862. Discharged on 

surgeon's certificate, August 17, 1862. 
JOHN GILCHRIST — ^Enlisted January 28, 1864. Transferred to 

Company H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 

Volunteers. 

CHARLES HARBST — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Glendale, Va., June 30, 1862; discharged on surgeon's certifi- 
cate, February 18, 1863. Died at Clarion, Pa., December 27, 
1889. 

HENRY L. HIGHBERGER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died 
September 3, 1862, at hospital near Fort Monroe, Va. 

JOHN JOHNSON^ — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded, with loss 
of arm, near Fair Oaks, Va., June 25, 1862. Discharged 
August 8, 1862. Died at Strattanviile, Clarion county. Pa., 
February 14, 1865. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT ,355 

JOXAS HIGHBERGER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Veteran 
Volunteer. Mortally wounded and missing in action at Spott- 
sylvania, Va., May 12, 1864. 

ELIPHAS HIGHBERGER — Mustered in October 15, 1861. Wounded 
at Second Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. Discharged April 7, 
18 63, on surgeon's certificate. 

ARCHY JONES — Enlisted November 2, 1863. Transferred to 
Company H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Wounded in front of Petersburg, Va., March 2 5, 
1865. Died April 25, 1865. Buried at National cemetery, 
Arlington, Va. 

DAVID S. KEISER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Captured sick 
at hospital, near Meadow Station, Va., June 30, 1862. Released 
September 1, 1862. Discharged on surgeon's certificate^ Febru- 
ary 4, 1863. 

JOHN LAWHEAD — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded in eye 
in line of duty at Camp Johnston, Va., November, 1861. Dis- 
charged on surgeon's certificate. May 2 8, 1862. .Died since the 
war. 

GREGORY LAWRENCE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864, and at North Anna, Va., May 23, 
1864. Mustered out with company. Died at Jamestown, N. Y., 
about 1884. 

JAMES R. LOUDON — Enlisted Fehruary 2 5, 1864. Wounded May 
5, 1864, at Wilderness, Va. Transferred to Company H, One 
Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

JACOB MENTZER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged for 
disability, November 21, 1862. 

WILLIAM MINSER — Enlisted February 1, 1862. Transferred to 
Company H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died September 2 9, 1901, at New Rimersburg, Pa. 

JAMES McCAMMON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. Discharged on surgeon's certifi- 
cate, September 22, 1862. Re-enlisted July 5, 1863, in Com- 
pany A, First Battalion, Pennsylvania Cavalry. Discharged 
December 26, 1863. Re-enlisted March 28, 1864, in Company 
B, Second Pennsylvania Veteran Artillery. Wounded June 17, 
1864, in front of Petersburg, Va. Died April 20, 1906, at 
Clarion, Pa. 

WILLIAM McCASKEY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged 
on surgeon's certificate at Philadelphia, June 20, 1862. 
Re-enlisted in Second Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, February, 
1864. Died in service, September 30, 1864. 

FRANCIS P. McCLOSKEY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded 
at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. Died at Washington, D. C, 
August 1, 1862. Buried in Military Asylum cemetery, Wash- 
ington, D. C, grave 2963. 

MARCUS J. Mclaughlin — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died at 
Harrison's Landing, Va., July 3, 1862. Buried National ceme- 
tery, Glendale, Va., grave 5, section D. 

GEORGE W. McMICHAEL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Captured 
sick, near Meadow Station, Va., June 30, 1862. Died at Rich- 
mond, Va., September 20, 1862. 



356 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

BARNEY McCANN — Enlisted January 30, 1862. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, October 2, 1862. Re-enlisted June 26, 
1863, in Company D, Second Battalion, Six Months' Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers. Died in 1902 at Brookville, Pa. 

ROBERT McBRIDE — Enlisted February 25, 1864. Died near 
Brandy Station, Va., April 8, 1864. 

ANDREW Mcdonald — Enlisted February 21, 1862. Captured at 
Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. Released September 13, 1862. 
Transferred to Company G, Second United States Cavalry, 
November 5, 1862. Discharged with rank of Sergeant. Died at 
Black's Corners, Clarion county, Pa., March 9, 1883. 

JOHN McDOiNALD — Enlisted February 25, 1864. Transferred to 
Company H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died at Beverly, N. J., Octoher 27, 1864. 

DAVID McKIBBBN — Enlisted February 27, 1864. Transferred to 
Company H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 

THOMAS McMUNN — Enlisted February 27, 1864. Transferred to 
Company H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 

PETER NUGENT — Mustered id August 1, 1861. Wounded at Fair 
Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. Discharged on surgeon's certificate, 
September 2 6, 1862. 

DANIEL O'NEILL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at Sec- 
ond Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. Mustered out with com- 
pany. Died in the west about 1875. 

PETER O'NEILL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to Fifth 
Corporal and to Second Sergeant. Wounded at Fair Oaks, Va., 
May 31, 1862. Discharged on surgeon's certificate, November 
9, 1862. 

WILLIAM A. PAUP — ^Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died at hospital, 
near Meadow Station, Va., June 12, 1862. 

ALFRED T. RBNCE — Mustered In August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Second Bull Run, August 2 9, 1862. Transferred to Veteran 
Reserve Corps, April 14, 1864. Discharged August 8, 1864. 
Died at Duke Centre, Pa., 1885. 

JOHN REED — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died in hospital, near 
Meadow Station, Va., June 24, 1862. 

GEORGE W. REMEL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Prisoner from 
June 30 to July, 1862. Deserted Novemher 16, 1862. Died in 
Fayette county, Pa., 1887. 

GEORGE W. RHEES — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at Fair 
Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. 

SAMUEL K. RICHARDS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Transferred 
to Battery B, First New Jersey Artillery, September, 1862. 
Re-transferred to this company April, 1864. Wounded at 
Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. Mustered out with company. 

JOHN G. RICHARDS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Second Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, January 10, 1862. 

ANDREW E. RUSSELL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Detached on 
signal service, January 8, 1862. Mustered out with company. 



STORY OF THE SlXTr-THIRD REGIMENT 357 

JACOB RINARD — Mustered in November 25, 1861. Discharged on 

surgeon's certificate, June 21, 1862. Died since the war. 
HENRY SHOUP — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed in action at 

Second Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. 
ALDEN SLOCUM — Mustered in August ], 1861. Discharged June 

2 3, 1862, for disability. Died Forest county, Pa., May 5, 1867. 
CHRISTIAN SMATHERS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died at 

Alexandria, Va., March 18, 1862. 
SYLVESTER STRAUB— Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died at 

Pittsburgh, Pa., while on sick furlough, April 28, 1863. 
JOHN A. STROUP — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged May 8, 

1862, for disability. Died since the war. 
JAMES W. SHAWL — Enlisted February 27, 1864. Transferred to 

Company H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 

Volunteers. Died since the war. 

JOHN THOMPSON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Glendale, Va., June 30, 1862. Killed in action at Second Bull 
Run, Va., August 29, 1862. 

WILLIAM M. THOMPSON — ^Mustered in August 1, 1861. Captured 
at Fredericksburg, Va., December 13, 1862. Wounded at Wilder- 
ness, Va., May 5, 1864. Mustered out with company. Died 
September 8, 1894. 

ANTHONY TORRY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Veteran Volun- 
teer. Wounded at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Transferred 
to Company H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Wounded with loss of foot at Petersburg, Va., 
September, 1864. Died at Clarion, Pa., April 22, 1884. 

JOHN TYLER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Transferred to First 
Regiment, Veteran Reserve Corps, September 30, 1863. Died 
at Washington, D. C, January 12, 1864. 

JOHN VOERHAUER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Detailed for 
duty at Brigade Headquarters, October, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. Died Beaver Falls, Pa., September 22, 1890. 

ABRAHAM WILES — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, February 21, 1863. Died since the war. 

WILLIAM WILKINSON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged 
on surgeon's certificate, February 3, 1862. 

DAVID WOODRUFF — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died June 11, 
1862, at hospital, near Meadow Station, Va. 

CONSCRIPTS. 

The following conscripts, drafted in Western Pennsylvania in July 
and September, were assigned to this company in September, 1863: 

ANDREW ALDERMAN — Drafted September 9. 1863. Died of 
wounds received in action at Boydton Plank Road, Va., October 
27, 1864. 

JOHN F. AMMENT — Drafted July 18, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Died since the war. 



358 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

CONRAD BARSTOCK — Drafted July 18, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Died since the war. 

JAMES BRINE — Drafted September 9, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Died since the war. 

ROBERT H. BRUCE — Drafted July i3, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Died since the war. 

THOMAS BRYANT — Drafted September 9, 1863. Captured at 
Locust Grove, Va., November 2 7, 1863. Died at Richmond, Va., 
December 17, 1863. 

HARRISON CALLEN — Drafted July 18, 1863. Wounded at Wilder- 
ness, Va., Mav 5, 1864. Died at Fredericksburg, Va., May 17, 
1864. 

JAMES CURTIN — Drafted September 5, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Died since the war. 

JOHN DONLEY — Drafted September 4, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Died since the war. 

ADAM (OR ANDREW) FRY — Drafted July 16, 1863. Transferred 
to Company H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 

SHADRACH FULLER — Drafted July 16, 1863. Deserted September 
27, 1863, near Culpepper Court House, Va. * 

JAMBS GALLAGHER — Drafted July 18, 1863. Killed In action at 
Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. 

ARCHIBALD GILCHRIST — Drafted July 18, 1863. Transferred to 
Company H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 

GEORGE B. HARTZELL — Drafted July 18. 1863. AVounded at 
Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Transferred to Company H, One 
Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 
Wounded and captured at Boydton Plank Road, Va., October 27, 
1864. Died at Salisbury, N. C, January 28, 1865. 

JOHN HEFFELFINGER — Drafted July IS, 1863. Died December 
10, 1863, near Brandy Station, Va. Buried National cemetery, 
Culpepper, Va. Grave 350. 

.JONA P. JOHNSON — Captured 1863. Died at Andersonville, Ga., 
September 20, 1864. 

WILLIAM KLINK — Drafted . Transferred to Com- 
pany H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Died since the war. 

JOHN LEECH — Drafted July 18, 1863. Died January 11, 1864, 
near Brandy Station, Va. 

JAMES McGEARY — Drafted . Transferred to Com- 
pany H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Died since the war. 

PHILIP SUTTON- — Drafted July 16, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Died since the war. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 359 

JOSEPH ORBIN — Drafted . Wounded in front of 

Petersburg, June 22, 1864.. Died at Washington, D. C, July 
20, 1864. Buried National cemetery, Arlington, Va., grave 
5603. 

SILAS SCHALL — Drafted July 18, 1863. Died January 16, 1864, 
at Convalescent Camp, Va. 

GEORGE SHIVERS — Drafted . Deserted September 

27, 1863. 

ADAM WENTZELL — Drafted July 18, 1863. Wounded at Deep 
Bottom, Va., August 14, 1864. 

JAMES WILSON — Drafted July 11, 1863. Killed at Wilderness, Va., 
May 5, 1864. 

RECAPITULATION. 

Commissioned officers on roll 7 

Non-commissioned officers on roll 30 

Privates on roll as volunteers 80 

Privates on roll as conscripts 25 



Total officers, non-commissioned and priv- 
ates 142 

Killed in action 13 

Died of wounds received in action 12 

Wounded in action 51 

Wounded in two or more actions 13 

Discharged for wounds received in action 23 

Died in service, of sickness 25 

Discharged for disability 18 

Missing in action and fate unknown' 1 

Captured sick at hospitals 4 

Captured in battle 10 

Re-enlisted in this company as veterans 15 

Re-enlisted in other commands after discharge. . 6 

Mustered out with company, September 12, 1864 12 
Transferred to One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, 

Pennsylvania Volunteers, September 19, 1864. 37 

ORIGINAL ROLL OF CAPTAIN B. J. REID'S COMPANY. 
MUSTERED INTO THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT, PENNSYL- 
VANIA VOLUNTEERS, AS COMPANY F. 

Captain — Bernard J. Reid. 
First Lieutenant — J. G. McGonagle. 
Second Lieutenant — Lawrence Egan. 
First Sergeant — Joshua H. Dele. 
♦Second Sergeant — C. C. Zink. 
Third Sergeant — George W. Fox. 
Fourth Sergeant — J. R. Guthrie. 
Fifth Sergeant — G. W. McCulloch. 
First Corporal — John Kuhns. 
♦Second Corporal — R. Sloan Elgin. 
Third Corporal — James Walley. 
Fourth Corporal — D. R. Dunmire. 



360 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

Fifth Corporal — David Irvin. 
Sixth Corporal — T. H. Martin. 
Seventh Corporal — Adam Potter. 
* Eighth Corporal — John Stewart. 
First Musician — A. Whitehill. 
Second Musician — B. P. Hilliard. 
Teamster — Preston H. Moodie. 



*Indicates second squad sent forward, September 17, IS 61. 

PRIVATES. 

James Barr, Andrew Basom, 'Mohn Baumgarden, * Henry Beer, 
*William Blair, Thomas Bolton, *Franklin Gathers, *William Camp- 
bell, John S. Crooks, *Emanuel Cussins, John Cyphert, Isaiah K. 
Dale, *Philip Daum, James O. Delp, Jacob I. Delo, John B. Den- 
slinger, William J. Dunlap, *Shugart J. Elder, *Finady Eshelman, 
Isaac W. Fenstermaker, *Bernard Faroust, Thomas M. Frazier, *John 
Gilford, Andrew Goble, William Greenawalt, *Phillip D. Griffin, 
*John A. Griffin, *James Hamilton, William L. Hall, Charles Harbst, 
Henry L. Highberger, Jonas Highberger, John Johnston, *David S. 
Keiser, *Michael Lemp, *John Lawhead, *Gregory Lawrence, *Joseph 
Loll, *Jacob Mentzer, *Francis P. McCloskey, *James McCammon, 
William McCaskey, *James McBride, *James McDonald, *Hugh P. 
McKee, Marcus J. McLaughlin, *George W. McMichael, John New- 
house, *Peter Nugent, Daniel O'Neill, -Peter O'Neill, *William A. 
Paup, Alfred T. Ranee, John Reed, Anthony P. Refner, * George W. 
Remel, George W. Rhees, Samuel K. Richards, *John G. Richards, 
Andrew E. Russell, *James Sample, Henry Shoup, *Alden Slocum, 
*Christian Smathers, Sylvester Straub, John A. Stroup, *John 
Thompson, * William M. Thompson, *John Tyler, *John Vourhaur, 
Abraham Wiles, *William Wilkinson, David Woodruff, *Anthony 
Torry. 

KILLED. 

Andrew Basom — Wilderness, May 5, 1864. 
Corporal William Blair — Wilderness, May 5, 1864. 
Harrison Callen — Wilderness, May 5, 1864. 
Jacob I. Delo — Glendale, June 30, 1862. 
First Sergeant Joshua H. Delo — Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862. 
Corporal R. Sloan Elgin — Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862. 
William Elder — Wilderness, May 5, 1864. 

Fourth Sergeant J. R. Guthrie — Second Bull Run, August 29, 
1862. 

James Gallagher — Wilderness, May 5, 1864. 
William Greenaw)alt — ^Orchards, June 25, 1862. 
James Hamilton — Wilderness, May 5, 1864. 
Jonas Highberger — Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864. 
David Irvin — Yorktown, April 9, 1862. 
Archy Jones — Petersburg, March 25, 1865. 
Francis P. McCloskey — Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862. 
G. W. McCulloch — Wilderness, May 5, 1864. 
George H. Rhees — Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862. 
Henry Shoup — Second Bull Run, August 2 9, 1862. 
J'ohn Thompson — Second Bull Run, August 29, 1862. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 361 

First Sergeant James Waley — Wilderness, May 5, 1S64. 
James Wilson — Wilderness, May 5, 1864. 
Joseph. Orbin — Skirmish, June 22, 1864. 

WOUNDED. 

Martin Castner — Second Bull Run, August 29, 1862. 

John Cyphert — Wilderness, May 5, 1864; jaw. 

John B. Denslinger — Wilderness, May 5, 18 64; head. 

James 0. Delp — North Anna, May 23, 1864; left leg. 

William J. Dunlap — Petersburg, November 1, 1864; eye. 

J. Shugart Elder — Second Bull Run, August 29, 1862. 

Isaac W. Ferstermaker — Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. 

Stewart A. Fulton — Chancellorsville^ May 3, 1863. 

Adam Fry — Wilderness, May 5, 1864; left leg. 

Michael Ferguson — Wilderness, May 5, 1864; right arm. 

Philip D. Griffin — Orchards, June 25, 1862; Gettysburg, July 3, 
1863; Wilderness, May 5, 1864. 

John Griffin — Gettysburg, July 3, 1863; Wilderness, May 5, 1864. 

Anthony Greenawalt — Orchards, June 2r>, 1862; arm. 

Andrew Noble — ^Hatcher's Run, Va., October 2 7, 1864; leg. 

Eliphas Highberger-^Second Bull Run, August 29, 1862. 

Benjamin P. Hilliard — Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862. 

William Hall — Wilderness, May 5, 1864; right arm. 

George B. Hartzell — Wilderness, May 5, 1864; right ankle; Octo- 
ber 24, 1864, wounded and captured. 

Charles Harbst — Glendale, June 30, 1862; leg. 

Archy Jones — Wilderness, May 5, 1864; right foot. 

John Johnston — Orchards, June 25, 1862; arm. 

Joseph Loll — Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863; Wilderness, May 5, 
1864; both legs. 

Gregory Lawrence — Wilderness, May 5, 1864; North Anna, May 
23, 1864. 

James R. Loudon — Wilderness, May 5, 1864; right shoulder. 

Thomas H. Martin — Second Bull Run, August 29, 1862; arm. 

Jonathan McCurdy — Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862; captured. 

James McDonald — Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862; captured. 

Andrew McDonald — Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862; captured. 

James McCammon — Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862. 

G. W. McCullouch — Fair Oaks, May 3, 1863. 

James McBride — Wilderness, May 5, 1864; left leg. 

Hugh P. McKee — Wilderness, May 5, 1864. 

Peter Nugent — Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862. 

Peter O'Neil — Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862. 

Daniel O'Neil — Second Bull Run, August 29, 1862. 

Adam Potter — Gettysburg, July 3. 1863. 

Corporal Anthony P. Refner — Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863; 
Wilderness, May 5, 1864. 

Alfred T. Ranee — Second Bull Run, August 29, 1862. 

John G. Richards — Second Bull Run, August 29, 1862. 

James Sample — Second Bull Run, August 29, 1862. 

David Shields — June 30, 1862, right leg; July 3, 1863, right 
shoulder; February 6, 1864, through body and foot. 

William H. Thompson — Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862, cap- 
tured; Wilderness, May 5, 1864, wounded. 

Anthony Torry — -Wilderness, May 5, 1864, right hand; Peters- 
burg, September, 1864, right arm; June 1, 1865, loss of leg. 



362 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

First Sergeant James Waley — Second Bull Run, August 29, 1862. 

Adam Wentzell — Skirmish, August 14, 1864. 

Andrew Alderman — Petersburg, October 27, 1864. 

Thomas Bryant — Mine Run, November 27, 1863; captured. 

DIED OF DISEASE. 

Henry L. Highberger — September 3, 1862, hospital, near Fort 
Monroe. 

John Kuhns — September 26, 1862, Philadelphia, Pa. 

Curtis C. Zink — August 10, 1862, Harrison's Landing. 

David R. Dunmire — May 31, 1862, Meadow Station. 

John Baumgarden — June 30, 1862, near Fair Oaks, Va. 

Franklin Cathers — April 22, 1862, Yorktown, Va. 

Thomas M. Frazier — April 1.5, 1862, near Y'orktown, Va. 

Marcus J. McLaughlin — July 3, 1862, Harrison's Landing. 

Finady Eshelman — April 25, 1863, hospital, Washington, D. C. 

Phillip Daum — May 10, 1863, Potomac Creek, Va. 

Sylvester Straub — April 28, 1863, Pittsburgh, while on sick fur- 
lough. 

John P. Crooks — June 3, 1865, Potomac Creek, Va. 

Robert McBride — April 8, 1864, near Brandy Station, Va. 

John Leach — January 11, 1864, near Brandy Station, Va. 

William A. Paup — June 12, 1862, near Fair Oaks, Va. 

J'ohn Reed — June 24, 1862, Meadow Station, Va. 

Christian Smathers- — ^March 18, 1862, Alexandria, Va. 

David Woodruff — June 11, 1862, near Fair Oaks, Va. 

John Tyler — January 12, 1864, Washington, D. C. 

John G. McGonagle — June 21, 1862, Meadow Station, Va. 

DISCHARGED ON SURGEON'S CERTIFICATE. 

Corporal John Stewart — June 21, 1862. 
John Lawhead — May 2 8, 18 62.. . 
James Barr- — December 10, 1862. 
William Wilkinson — February 3, 1863. 
Henry Beer — October 31, 1862. 
Thomas Bolton — February 11, 1863. 
William Campbell — September 25, 1862. 
Emanuel Cussins — September 2 9, 1862. 
Alpheus George — August 17, 1862. 
Isaac W. Fenstermaker — July 23, 1864. 
David S. Keiser — February 4, 1863. 
Jacob Mentzer — Novemiber 21, 1862. 
William McCaskey — June 20, 1862. 
Bernard McCann — October 2, 1862. 
Jacob Rinard — June 21, 1862. 
Alden Slocum — June 23, 1862. 
John A. Stroup — May 8, 1862. 
Abraham Wiles — February 21, 1863. 

DISCHARGED O'N ACCOUNT OF WOUNDS. 

James McDonald — August 28, 1863. 
Charles Harbst — February 18, 1863. 
/George W. Fox — March 1, 1863. 
William L. Hall — October 25, 1864. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 363 

Thomas H. Martin — October 31, 1862. 
Joseph Loll — February 6, 1865. 
Adam Potter — October 10, 1864. 
Martin Castner — January 18, 1863. 
J. Shugart Elder — November 22, 1862. 
David Shields — June 9, 1863. 
Phillip D. Griffin — May 10, 1864. 
Anthony Greenawalt — August 8, 1862. 
Eliphas Highberger — February 7, 1863. 
John Johnston — August 8, 1862. 
James McCammon — September 2 2, 1862. 
Peter Nugent — September 26, 1862. 
Alfred T. Ranee — August 8, 1864. 
John G. Richards — January 10, 1863. 
Peter O'Neil — November 9, 1862. 

MUSTERED OUT WITH COMPANY. 

Expiration Term of Service. 

Ami Wliitehill, John A. Griffin, Benjamin F. Hilliard, John 
Cyphert Isiah K. Dale, John Gilford, Gregory Lawrence, Hugh P. 
McKee, ' Daniel O'Neil, Samuel K. Richards, Andrew E. Russell, 
William M. Thompson, John Vorhaur. 

TRANSFERRED TO ON HUNDRED AND FIFTH REGIMENT, 
COMPANIES H AND K. 

Michael Kempf, Anthony P. Refner, James McBride, Stewart A. 
Fulton Joseph Lichenberger, William J. Dunlap, Michael Ferguson, 
Alexander Goble, Archibald Gilchrist, Jonathan McCurdy, Thomas 
McMunn, John McDonald, John Newhouse, James Sample. 

TRANSFERRED TO VETERAN RESERVE CORPS. 

Bernard Faroust — September 16, 1864. 

MISCELLANEOUUS. 

William Mentzer— Mustered out February 27, 1865. ,,„.,^, 

Andrew McDonald— Transferred to Company G, Second United 
States Cavalary, November 5, 1862. 



HISTORY OF COMPANY G. 

Company G was organized in Venango, Armstrong and Indiana 
counties. The Venango county squad of forty-six was composed of 
the following, the first three to be the commissioned officers of the 
company in the order named: 

George C. McClelland, Hugh Hunter, S. Hays Cochran, Wales D. 
Ashton, Milton J. Adams, John C. Brookbank, Samuel D. Barnett, 
Ohauncey G. Cooper, William Cooper, David W. Coursin, Christian 
Diem, Samuel C. Dewoody, Asa O. Douglass, James D. Douglass, 
Robert H. Daily, Charles France, William H. Green, Curtis C. 
GrifRn, Daniel M. Gardner, James S. Gates, Aaron W. Gilmore, 
Robert Houston, Frank H. Johnston, Alfred B. Lupher, Robert C. 
Law, James Lindsay, John T. McCoy, Robert B. McCoy, Thomas Mar- 
tin, Charles Moore, Cyrus J. Moore, David K. Mitchell, William 
Magee, Clark Neer, William B. Peiffer, Ithmar Porter, Samuel C. 
Rhodes, Simon Shall, John Stittz, Edson E. Sheppard, George W. 
Taylor, Solomon Venscl, James S. Williams, Edward Wachschmidt, 
George Wolfkill, William S. Whittman. 

On the 14 th of August, 1861, they embarked on a flat boat at 
Franklin and floated down the Allegheny River to Camp Wilkins, 
Pittsburgh, where they remained until August 2 5th, when they were 
mustered into the service of the United States by H. O. Ormsby. 

The Armstrong county contingent was represented by forty-seven 
men, as follows: 

Simon Blystone, Peter Boyer, Robert M. Brown, John R. Cox, 
James N. Coulter, John Cessna, William L. Calhoun, J. H. Fulton, 
William Frailey, William J. Graham, Jacob Gardner, Henry R. 
Gress, David R. George, Joseph Gardner, John Henderson, Ralston 
Hoover, William C. Hoover, James M. Johnston, John F. Jones, John 
Kelly, Hugh McConnell, Jacob Miller, Thomas H. Martin, Robert W. 
Martin, David C. Martin, Isaac Moorhead, John Pickle, Loben Russell, 
Matthew A. Rankin, Joseph P. Rankin, John G. Robinson, William 
H. H. Sloan, Jacob Sadler, John A. Sell, David Shirey, Andrew J. 
Smeltzer, John St. Clair, Thomas Smith, Adam F. Smith, Simon 
Steffey, Benjamin H. Smith, William M. Smith, John M. Thomas, 
A. H. G. Wilhelm, A. W. Wilhelm. 

Other men from various locations, were — Charles W. McHenry, 
W. R. Nicholson, George A. Cook, John Hassinger, Philip O'Sullivan. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-T3IIRD REGIMENT 365 

Of the ninety-seven original members, the following eighteen were 
killed in action: 

S. Hays Cochran, Isaac Moorhead, Benjamin H. Smith, Simon 
Steffey, Matthew A. Rankin, Thomas L. Martin, Simon Blystone, 
David W. Coursin, Christian Diem, Charles France, William Frailey, 
David R. George, Jacob Gardner, John Kelly, Cyrus J. Moore, Robert 
B. McCoy, Hugh McConnell, Clark Near. 

Four died of wounds — George A. Cook, William J. Graham, Henry 
B. Gress, A. W. Wilhelm. 

Seven died of disease — James N. Coulter, Ralston Hoover, John 
Hassiuger, Philip Hassinger, Jacob Miller, Andrew J. Smeltzer, 
Robert W. Martin. 

Four were taken prisoners; two transferred and three deserted; 
twenty-six were discharged on account of disability or for other 
causes; fourteen absent and twelve present at muster out, leaving 
four prisoners to be mustered out. Four remained on account of 
re-enlistment, and one was absent without leave. 

There were forty-two recruits or drafted men joined the company 
at later dates, as follows: 

Peter Amsberger, George Blystone, William Blystone, John Bleak- 
ney, Jesse Cole, Robert Davidson, R. A. Fulton, Thomas S. Frue, 
Benjamin W. Hill, Andrew Henderson, Cornelius Hoffman, Josiah M. 
Hays, Samuel S. Hays, Samuel S. Jack, Wilder Jackson, Henry Klugh, 
William R. Keppel, Sylvis Leasure, George VV. Martin, Andrew J. 
Moore, Samuel G. Moorhead, Samuel Mulberger, James Markel, 
James S. Myers, Noah W. Porter, Isaac L. Rearick, Robert Rager, 
John Q. Ritchey, Joseph Rudler, Alexander Rupert, William C. 
Smith, George Schick, Harrison Stopp, Martin Schermerhorn, Wilson 
M. Stills, David F. Sheets, Samuel Sharp, "John Salada, William 
Thomas, David J. Thomas, Hampton Thomas, Charles Warner. 

Of the recruits and drafted men, three were killed, one died of 
wounds, two died of disease, four were discharged, one transferred 
to western department, one deserted, one absent sick, twelve absent 
wounded, but nine being present at muster out, one of whom was 
detailed as division teamster. 

Jacob Gardner, shot on out-post, near Pohick Church, November 
7, 1861, was the first man killed in the regiment. 

Total enlistment 14 

Killed in action 21 

Died of wounds o 

Died of disease 11 

Discharged for disability 30 

Transfer led 36 

Deserted 4 

Mustered out at expiration of lenii 33 

Total 140 



;66 UNDER THE RED PATCH 



ROSTER. 



CHARLES W. McHENRY, Captain — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Promoted from Sergeant Major, August 20, 1861. Discharged 
November 13, 1862. Died at Janesville, Wis., February 9, 1874. 

S. HAYS COCHRAN, First Lieutenant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Killed near Richmond, Va., June 25, 1862. 

ISAAC MOORHEAD, Second Lieutenant — Mustered in August 1, 
1861. Promoted to First Lieutenant. June 27, 1862; to Cap- 
tain, May 19, 1863. Killed at Petersburg, Va., June 18, 1864. 

JAMBS S. WILLIAMS, First Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Promoted to Second Lieutenant, June 2 7, 1862; to First Lieu- 
tenant, May 19, 1863. Wounded at Chancellorsville, Va., May 
3, 1863, and at Petersburg, Va., June 16, 1864. Mustered out 
with company. 

WILLIAM R. NICHOLSON, Second Lieutenant — Mustered in August 
1, 1861. Promoted to First Sergeant, May 19, 1862; to Second 
Lieutenant, July 13, 1864. Wounded at Chancellorsville, Va., 
May 3, 1863. Mustered out with company. 

WILLIAM B. PEIFFER, Second Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 
1861. Discharged February 20, 1863. Died August 11, 1890. 

WILLIAM H. H. SLOAN, Fourth Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 
1861. Mustered out with company. Died since the war. 

ROBERT M. BROWN, Fifth Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Wounded at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. Mustered out with 
company. 

GEORGE A. COOK, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died 
July 4, 1862, of wounds received in action. 

WILLIAM M. SMITH, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Wounded at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. Discharged on 
account of wounds, September 17, 1862. 

AARON W. GILMORE, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Promoted to Sergeant, February 20, 1863; to First Sergeant, 
July 13, 1864. Wounded at Second Bull Run, August 29, 1862, 
and at Wapping Heights, July 23, 1863. Mustered out with 
company. 

ALFRED B. LUPHER, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Dis- 
charged on surgeon's certificate, January 17, 1863. 

ROBERT HOUSTON, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Pro- 
moted to First Sergeant, June 27, 1862; to Second Lieutenant, 
May 19, 1863. Discharged on surgeon's certificate, January 9, 
1864. Died since the war. 

FRANK H. JOHNSTON, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Wounded at Fredericksburg, Va., December 13, 1862. Dis- 
charged account of wounds. May 16, 1863. Died at Franklin, 
Pa., March 25, 1907. Buried there. 

SIMON STEFFEY, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded 
at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. Taken prisoner and died of 
wounds on Belle Island, Va.; date unknown. 

WHALES D. ASHTON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Prisoner from 
June 22, 1864, to November 24, 1864. Mustered out Deceni'ber 
3, 1864. Died February 20, 1895, at Finley's Lake, Pa. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 367 

JOHN HASSIXGER, Musician — Mustered in September 9, 1S61. 
Died at Washington, D. C, December 25, 1862. 

JOHN STITZ, Musician — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Deserted 
July 26, 1863, and dropped from the rolls, August 8, 1863. 

JOHN SILLIBERG, Wagoner— Mustered in August 1, 1861. Dis- 
charged September 25, 1863. 

MILTON J. ADAMS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Spottsylvania Court House, Va., May 12. 1864. Captured June 
22, 1864. Transferred to Company G, One Hundred and Fifth 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

JOHN C. BROOKBANK — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to 
Sergeant, May 19, 1863. Wounded at Mine Run, Va., November 
2 7, 1863. Mustered out with companj'. 

PETER BOYER— Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, September 16, 1862. 

SIMON BLYSTONE — Mustered in January 4, 1864. Killed at Wil- 
derness, Va., May 6, 1864. 

SAMUEL D. BARNETT — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Deserted 
June 30, 1863. Returned November 22, 1863. Transferred to 
Company G, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 

JOHN R. COX — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged March 
26, 1863. 

JOHN CESSNA — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to Sergeant, 
June 1, 1864. Wounded at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862, and 
at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Mustered out with company. 

JAMES N. COULTER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died April 12, 
1864. 

OHAUNCEY G. COOPER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered 
out with company. 

WILLIAM L. CALHOUN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged 
October 9, 1862. 

DAVID W. COURSIN^Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Nelson's Farm, Va., June 30, 1862. Died on account of wounds 
in Libby Prison. 

CHRISTIAN DIEM — ^Mustered in August ], 1861. Killed at Fair 
Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. 

SAMUEJL C. DEWOODY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Captured 
June 22, 1864. Veteran Volunteer. Transferred to Company 
G, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

ASA O. DOUGLASS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged; date 
unknown. 

JAMES D. DOUGLASS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Fredericksburg, Va., December 13, 1863. Discharged December 
24, 1863, on account of wounds. 

ROBERT H. DAILY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Absent wounded in hospital at 
muster out. 

JOHN A. FRAILEY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged April 
26, 1863. Died National Military Home, Santa Monica, Cali- 
fornia. Grave 4. 



368 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

CHARLES FRANCE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at Fair 

Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. 
WILLIAM D. FRAILEY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at 

Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. 
HENRY FRAILEY^ — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 

surgeon's certificate, September 22, 1862. 
JOSEPH H. FULTON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Absent sick 

at muster out., 
WILLIAM H. GREEN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Transferred to 

Company G, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 

Volunteers. 
JAMES S. GATES — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at Fair 

Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. Discharged on account of wounds, 

September 16, 1862. 
CURTIS C. GRIFFIN— Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out 

with company. 
DAVID R. GEORGE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at Nel- 
son's Farm, Va., June 30, 1862. 
WILLIAM I. GRAHAM — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to 

Corporal, February 24, 1863. Died of wounds, May 24, 1864, in 

Fredericksburg, Va. Buried in Washington House church-yard, 

Fredericksburg. 

JACOB GARDNER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed near 

Pohick Church, Va., November 7, 1861. 
JOSEPH GARDNER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out 

with company. Died since the war. 

DANIEL N. GARDNER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out 
with company Died July 9, 1903, at Emlenton, Pa. Buried in 
Rockland cemetery. 

HENRY R. GROSS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died at New 
Haven, Conn., July 3, 1862, of wounds. 

PHILIP HASSINGER — Mustered in September 9, 18 61. Died near 
Alexandria, Va., October 25, 1861. 

JOHN HENDERSON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Absent sick at 
muster out. Died since the war. 

RALSTON HOOVER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died at Balti- 
more Cross Roads, Va., June 13, 1862. 

WILLIAM C. HOOVER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. Died since the war. 

JAMES M. JOHNSTQiN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged 

February 20, 1863. 
JOHN F. JONES — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out with 

company. 
JOHN KELLY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at Chancellors- 

ville, Va., May 3, 1863. 
JAMES LINDSAY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged May 

1, 1862. Died since the war. 
ROBERT C. LAW — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged; date 

unknown. Died at Franklin, Pa., aged 82 years. 

JOHN T. McCOY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged Sep- 
tember 26, 1862. Died at St. Louis, Mo., February 24, 1900. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 369 

ROBERT B. McCOY — Mustered in August 1, ISGl. Killed at Wilder- 
ness, Va., May 5, 1864. 

HUGH McCOXXELL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at 
Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. 

WILLIAM R. MAGEE — ^Mustered in August 1, 1861. Deserted; date 
unknown. 

JACOB MILLER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died March 6, 1863, 
near Falmouth, Va. 

THOMAS L. MARTIN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to 
Corporal, February 1, 1864. Killed at Wilderness, Va., May 6, 
1864. 

DAVID C. MARTIN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out 

with company. Died April 23, 1888. Buried at Apollo, Pa. 
ROBERT W. MARTIN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to 

Sergeant. Discharged February 12, 1863. Died since the war. 
CHARLES MOORE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out 

with company. 
DAVID K. MITCHELL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged 

December 25, 1862. 
THOMAS MARTIN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged; date 

unknown. 

CYRUS J. MOORE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed near Pohick 

Church, Va., March 6, 1862. Buried Alexandria, Va., National 

cemetery, grave 1456. 
CLARK NEAR — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at Wilderness, 

Va., May 5, 1864. 
ITHAMAR PORTER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Absent sick at 

muster out. Died July 16, 1864, from kick of horse. Buried at 

Franklin, Pa. 
JOHX PICKLE — ^Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to Cor- 
poral, July 4, 1863. Wounded at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. 

Mustered out with company. 
JOSEPH P. RAXKIN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out 

with company. 
MATTHEW A. RAXKIX — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted 

to Corporal, February 1, 1864. Killed at Petersburg, Va., June 

16, 1864. 
JOHX A. RO'BIXSON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 

Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Mustered out with company. 
LOBEN RUSSELL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at Fair 

Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. Discharged December 1, 1862, on 

account of wounds. 
SAMUEL A. RHOADES — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 

Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862, and a^ Nelson's Farm, Va., June 

30, 1862. Discharged on account of wounds, September 29, 

1862. 

SIMEON SHALL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Transferred to 
Veteran Reserve Cor])s, December 15. 1863. Buried National 
cemetery, Arlington, Va., grave 73 46 

EDSON E. SHEPARD — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. Died since the war. 



370 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

JOHN ST. CLAIR — Mustered in August 1, IS 61. Wounded at 
Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. Discharged on account of 
wounds, September 22, 1863. 

ADAM F. SMITH — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged April 
26, 1863. Died since the war. 

THOMAS SMITH — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged October 
1, 1862. Died since the war. 

BENJAMIN H. SMITH — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to 
Corporal, February 20, 1863. Killed at Chancellorsville, Va., 
May 3, 1863. 

DAVID SHIRE Y — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died near York- 
town, Va., May 25, 1862. Buried in National cemetery, Ann- 
apolis, Md. Grave 17. 

A. J. SMELTZER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Captured. Died at 
Richmond, Va. ; date unknown. 

JACOB SADLER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at Peters- 
burg, Va., June 18, 186 4. Mustered out with company. 

JOHN A. SELL- — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at Peters- 
burg, Va., June 18, 1864. Mustered out with company. Died 
January 23, 1896, near Avonmore, Pa. 

PHILIP O. SULLIVAN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Deserted 
November 5, 1862, taking gun and equipment with him. 

JOHN M. THOMAS — Mustered in August 1, 18 61. Promoted to 
Sergeant, February 24, 1863. Wounded at Fair Oaks, Va., May 
31, 1862; at Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863, and at the 
Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1864. Captured and taken to Libby 
Prison. Absent wounded at muster out. 

GEORGE W. TAYLOR — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Transferred to 
Company G, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died at New Alexandria, Pa., March 17, 1905. 
Buried U. P. cemetery there. 

SOLOMON VENSEL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died at York- 
town, Va., May 15, 1862. 

ABSALOM W. WILHELM — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died at 
Philadelphia, Pa., of wounds received in action. 

AUGUSTUS H. G. WILHELM — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Wounded at Malvern Hill, Va., June 30, 1862. Prisoner from 
May 12, 1864, to March 1, 1865. Mustered out with company. 
Died since the war. 

EDWARD WACHSMITH — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted 
to Corporal. Discharged April 25, 1864. Died at Tracy, Cal., 
October, 1907. 

GEORGE WOLFKILL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. Mustered' out with com- 
pany. Died in 1899. 

WILLIAM S. WHITMAN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Transferred 
to One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 
Died since the war. 

PETER ARMBERGER — Drafted September 2, 1863. Transferred to 
Company G, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 371 

WILLIAM BLYSTONE — Mustered in March 31, 1864. Died June 25, 
1864 of wounds received at Petersburg, Va., June 18, 1864. 
Buried National cemetery. City Point, Va., grave 985. 
GEORGE BLYSTONE — Mustered in January 18, 1864. Wounded at 
Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Transferred to Company G, One 
Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died 
since the war. 
JOHN BLEAKNEY— Drafted July 17, 1863. Wounded before 
Petersburg Va., June 16, 1864. Transferred to Company G, One 
Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died 
January, 189 6, at Elderton, Pa. Buried there. 
JESSE COLE— Mustered in February 19, 1864. Transferred to 
Company G, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 
WILLIAM COOPER— Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged; date 

unknown. Died since the war. 
ROBERT D4VIDS0N— Mustered in September 2, 1863. Wounded at 
SDOttsYlvania Va., May 10, 1864. Transferred to Company G, 
One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 
Died since the war. 
ROBERT A FULTON— Mustered in September 9, 1862 Discharged 

February 14, 1863. Died January 14, 1893, at Yates City, 111. 
THOMAS FRUE— Mustered in October 15, 1862. Killed at Wilder- 
ness, May 6, 1864. 
ANDREW HENDERSON— Drafted July 18, 1863. Wounded at 
North Anna Va May 2 4, 1864. Transferred to Company G, 
Sne Hvmdred a^d Fi^fth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 
Died since the war. 
JOSIAH M HAYS— Drafted July 16, 1863.' Wounded at W ilder- 
ness Va May 6, 1864. Transferred to Company G, One Hun- 
dred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since 
the war. , 

rORNELIUS HOFFMAN— Drafted September 2, 1863 Woundea 
Sctober 26 1863. Transferred to Company G, One Hundred and 
Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since the war. 
RFNTAMIN W HULL— Drafted July 18, 1863. Transferred to 
itmjany G, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. ^ „ , , 

ctAMUFT S HAYS— Mustered in February 22, 1864. Transferred to 
Company a one Hundred and Fifth Regiment. Pennsylvania 
VoZteers Died October 9, 1864, at Beverly, New Jerey. 
SAMUEL S. JACK-Drafted July 17, 1863. Wounded May 12, 1864, 
at Spottsylvania, Va. . , ^ „f aami 

WILDER JACKSO^-D,,a,ted Septe^ter 2 1863. WourMed .^ ^^^^ 

SS-/aSd ^i?t.°Re^Jnf „t.Te9.va„ia Vo,u„tee.s Died 
National Military Home, Leavenworth, Kansas, November 

HENRY^KLUGH-Drafted July 18, 1863. Died at Washington. 
D. C, February 24, 1864 ,o .ofio Transferred to Cora- 

^^^pll,"^:^S"?S7n°dre?fnd'St.^^Re^f^:at7p«u1y^fvaa.aV„,u„- 

teers. Died since the war. 



372 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

WILLIAM R. KEPPEL — Mustered in February 23, 1864. Killed at 

Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. 
GEORGE W. MARTIN — Mustered in February 15, 1864. Died 

August 15, 1864. Buried National cemetery, Varina Grove, 

Va., grave 105. 

SAMUEL MULBERGER — Drafted July 18, 1863. Died July 15, 
1864. Buried National cemetery, Arlington, Va., grave 5 350. 

SAMUEL G. MOORHEAD — Drafted September 5, 1863. Wounded at 
Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1864. Transferred to Company G, 
One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

JAMES MARKAL — Drafted July 18, 1863. Transferred to Company 
G, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 
Died since the war. 

ANDREW J. MOORE — Mustered in March 21, 1862. Died May 15, 
1864, from wounds received at Wilderness. Va., May 6, i864. 
Buried in Wilderness, Va., near Second Corps Field Hosnital. 

JAMES S. MYERS — Mustered in March 31, 1864. Killed at Wilder- 
ness, May 5, 1864. 

NOAH W. PORTER — Mustered in December 29, 1863. Wounded at 
Wilderness, May 6, 1864. Transferred to Company G, One Hun- 
dred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Captured 
hy Mosby's Guerillas. In Libby Prison three months. 

ROBERT RAGER — Mustered in August 30, 1862. Wounded at 
Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1864. Transferred to Company G, 
One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 
Died since the war. 

ISAAC L. REARICK — Drafted July 18, 1863. Wounded at Peters- 
burg, Va., June 18, 1864. Transferred to Company G, 
One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

JOHN RITCHEY — Drafted July 18, 1863. Transferred to Company 
G, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

JOSEPH RUDLER — Drafted September 2, 1863. Discharged Sep- 
tember 2 3, 1864. 

ALEXANDER RUPERT — Mustered in February 23, 1864. Died near 
Brandy Station, Orange & Alexandria Railroad, Va., April 1, 
1864. 

WILLIAM C. SMITH^ — Mustered in February 2, 1864. Wounded at 
North Anna, Va., May 23, 1864. Transferred to Company G, 
One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 
Died since the war. 

GEORGE SCHICK — Mustered in February 15, 1864. Wounded at 
Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Transferred to Company G, 
One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 
Died since the war. 

HARRISON C. STOPP — Drafted September 2, 18 63. Wounded at 
North Anna, Va., May 23, 3 864. Transferred to One Hundred 
and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

M. SCHEMERHORN — Drafted September 2, 1863. Wounded October 
23, 1863. Transferred to Company G, One Hundred and Fifth 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since the war. 

DAVID F. SHEETS — Mustered in March 9, 1862. Discharged Janu- 
ary 14, 1863. Died since the war. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT' 373 

WILSON M. STILLS — Drafted July 13, 1863. Transferred to 
Company G, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 

JOHN SALADA — Drafted July 13, 1863, Transferred to Company G, 
One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 
Died since the war. 

SAMUEL SHARP — Drafted September 7, 1863. Deserted May 5, 
1864, at Wilderness, Va. 

WILLIAM THOMAS — Drafted July 18, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany G, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. 

DAVID J. THOMAS — Drafted July 18, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany G, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. 

HAMPTON THOMPSON — Drafted July 20, 1863. Transferred 
to Western Army, October 1, 1863. 

CHARLES D. WARNER — Drafted September 8, 1863. Transferred to 
Company G, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war: 



HISTORY OF COMPANY H. 



Organized at Pittsburgh by Captain Maurice Wallace, and known 
as the "McCullough Guards." Enrollment dated August 6, 1861. 

Mustered into the United States service near Washington City, 
D. C, October 9, 1861, with a full complement of men. 

Captain Wallace being promoted to major of the regiment. First 
Lieutenant C. B. McCullough was made captain of the company; 
Second Lieutenant H. P. Fulton, first lieutenant; and Orderly Ser- 
geant W. H. Jeffries, second lieutenant. 

ROSTER. 

MAURICE WALLACE, Captain- — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Pro- 
moted to Major, August 6, 1861. Died about 1899. 

CHARLES B. McCULLOUGH, Captain — Mustered in August 6, 1861. 
Promoted from First Lieutenant, August 6, 1861. Resigned 
December 15, 1861. Died about 1866 from accident. 

HUGH P. FULTON, First Lieutenant — Mustered in August 6, 1861. 
Promoted to Captain, April 14, 1862. Died December 20, 1862, 
of wounds received at Fredericksburg, Va., December 13, 1862. 
Buried St. Mary's cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

WILLIAM H. JEFFRIES, Second Lieutenant — Mustered in August 6, 

1861. Promoted to First Lieutenant, April 14, 1862; to Cap- 
tain, December 21, 1862. Wounded at Fair Oaks, Va., May 
31, 1862. Discharged May 21, 1863, on account of wounds 
received at Fair Oaks, Va. Re-enlisted in 1864 in Second Divis- 
ion Sheridan's Cavalry. Died Bellwood, Pa., April 2, 1906. 
Buried Long Run Presbyterian Church, Circleville, Pa. 

JAMES WHELAN, First Sergeant — Mustered in August 6, 1861. 
Wounded while on picket, 1861. Discharged on surgeon's cer- 
tificate, December 25, 1862. Died since the war. 

WILLIAM KEENAN, Second Sergeant — Mustered in August 6, 1861. 
Promoted to Captain, December 16, 1861. Discharged April 14, 

1862. Died June 14, 1904, at National Military Home, Hamp- 
ton, Va. Buried there. Grave 8679. 

DANIEL DOUGHERTY, Third Sergeant — Mustered in August 6, 
1861. Promoted to First Sergeant and to Second Lieutenant, 
April 20, 1862, and to First Lieutenant, February 27, 1863; to 
Captain, July 1, 1863. Died June 19, 1864, of wounds received 
at North Anna, Va., May 23, 1864. Buried St. Mary's cemetery, 
Pittsburgh, Pa. 

WILLIAM DEAKERS — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Mustered out 
of company. Fell out of window at Pittsburgh, Pa., and killed 
about 1870. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 375 

WILLIAM W. WEEKS. Fourtli Sergeant — Mustered in August 6, 
1861. Promoted to First Sergeant; to Second Lieutenant, 
December 21, 1862. Died May 19, 1863, of wounds received at 
Ctiancellorsville, Va., jMay 3, 1863. 

WILLIAM H. MARSHALL, Fifth Sergeant — Mus'tered in August 6, 
1861. Wounded at Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. Trans- 
ferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, .lanuary 28, 1864. Died Alle- 
gheny, Pa., since the war. 

CHARLES McMAHON, Corporal — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Pro- 
moted to Sergeant, December 16, 1861; to Second Lieutenant, 
July 5, 1863. Mustered out with company. Died since the 
war. 

JAMES McGEE, Corporal — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Killed at 
Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. 

.lAMES JONES, Corporal — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Transferred 
to Veteran Reserve Corps, August 1, 1863. 

JAMES REDMOND, Corporal — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Dis- 
charged by special order, January 26, 1864. 

PATRICK FISHER, Corporal — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Pro- 
moted to Sergeant, May 20, 1863. Wounded at Spottsylvania 
Court House, Va., May 12, 1864. Mustered out with company. 
Died National Military Home, Ohio, since the war. 

MICHAEL CARROLL, Ambulance Driver — Mustered in August 6, 
1861. Mustered out with company. 

.JOHN CANNON — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Captured. Returned. 
Deserted March 16, 1864. 

DANIEL CANNON — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Killed at Bull 
Run, Va., August 29, 1862. 

DANIEL CONNELLY — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Promoted to 
Corporal. Died October 4, 1862. 

WILLIAM DOUGHERTY — Mustered in August 6. 1861. Veteran 
Volunteer. Promoted to Corporal. April 2 9, 1864. Transferred 
to Company H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. 

.TAMES DOUGHERTY — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Deserted May 
4, 1862. 

JAMES DOONER — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Mustered out with 
company. Died since the war. 

SIMON P. DILLMAN — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Discharged 
October 31, 1862, on account of wounds received at Second Bull 
Run, Va., August 29, 1862. Died since the war. 

JOHN DOOLEY — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Deserted March, 
1863. 

PATRICK DOUGGERY — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Wounded at 
Wilderness, Va., May .5, 1864. Absent at muster out. Died at 
National Military Home, Ohio, since the war. 

JAMES DOWLING — Mustered in November 1, 1861. Discharged 
December 31, 1862, on account of wounds received at Second 
Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. Died since the war. 

JAMES EGAN — Mustered in August 6. 1861. Wounded at Wilder- 
ness, Va., May 5, 1864. Mustered out with company. Died 
since the war. 



376 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

ANDREW EMERETT — Mustered iu August 6, 18 61. Killed at 
Chaucellorsville, Va., May 3, 1S63. 

PATRICK FARRELL — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Killed at Fair 
Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. 

SAMUEL WILSON, Corporal — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Pro- 
moted to Corporal, March 15, 1862; to Sergeant, February 1, 
1863. Wounded at Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1864. Mustered out 
with company. 

JOHN W. F. JOHNSTON, Corporal — Mustered in August 6, 1861. 
Discharged September 16, 1862, of wounds received at Charles 
City Cross Roads, Va., June 30, 1862. Died since the war. 

THOMAS KIRK, Corporal — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Wounded 
at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Mustered out with company. 

CHARLES C. KING, Musician — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Mus- 
tered out with company. Died since the war. 

PRIVATES. 

JAMES McMANUS — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. 

WILLIAM BRACKEN — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Deserted Octo- 
ber 12, 1862. 

JAMES BELL — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, December 26, 1862. Died since the war. 

JOHN A. BUCH — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Transferred to Uni- 
ted States Army, November 1, 1862. 

PATRICK COLLINS — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Discharged on 
account of wounds received at Second Bull Run, Va., August 29, 
18 62. Died since the war. 

PETER CHURCH — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Mustered out with 
company. Died since the war. 

EZEKIEL CRANE — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Discharged Decem- 
ber 26, 1863, for wounds received at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 
1862. Died since the war. 

HENRY CAMPBELL — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Wounded at 
Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. Died May 24, 1864, of 
wounds received at North Anna, Va., May 23, 1864. 

RICHARD COCHRAN — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Killed at 
Charles City Cross Roads, Va., Juno 30, 1862. 

CHESTER H. CLARK — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Killed at 
Charles City Cross Roads, Va., June 30, 1862. 

THOMAS CRAMPTON — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Discharged 
on surgeon's certificate, December 31, 1862. 

PHILIP FARRELL — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Died at Dispatch 
Station, Va., June 3, 1862, from wounds received at Fair Oaks, 
Va., May 31, 1862. 

JAMES FREIL — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Discharged December 
31, 1862, for wounds received at Second Bull Run, Va., August 
29, 1862. Re-enlisted. Killed August 2, 1864. Buried National 
cemetery, Arlington, Va., grave 6937. 

HUGH GIBBONS — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Wounded at Wilder- 
ness, Va., May 5, 1864. Mustered out with company. Died at 
Pittsburgh, Pa., since the war. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 377 

PETER GILLESPIE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died at Chester, 
Pa., September 4, 1862. 

PHILLIP GALLAGHER— Mustered in August 6, 1861. Died at 
Washington, D. C., October 9, 1862, of wounds received at Sec- 
ond Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. Buried Chester, Pa. 

PATRICK GORMLEY — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. Died since the war. 

DAVID GRIFFITHS — Mustered in September 9, 1861. Discharged 
December 31, 1862, on account of wounds received at Second 
Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. Died since the war. 

PATRICK HOGAN — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Transferred to 
Battery E, Sixth Rhode Island Artillery, July, 1862. 

HUGH HAGAN — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Discharged December 
10, 1862, for wounds received at Second Bull Run, August 29, 
1862. 

JOSEPH HAGAN — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Absent at muster 
out — in confinement by sentence of General Court Martial. Died 
October 2 6, 1862, at Fort Jefferson, Florida. 

JOHN HOPKINS — Musteredin August 6, 1861. Killed at Chancel- 
lorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. 

JOHN HILL — Mustered in August 6. 1861. Died September 10, 1862, 

of wounds received at Second Bull Run, Va., August 2 9, 1862. 

Buried in Military Asylum cemetery, Washington, D. C, grave 

3695. 
NICHOLAS HARTIE — Mustered in August 6, 186L Killed at Fair 

Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. 
JOHN HENNESSEY — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Wounded at 

Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. Transferred to Veteran 

Reserve Corps, September 30, 1863. 

JAMES E. JONES — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Killed at Kelly's 
Ford, Va,. November 7, 1863. 

HUGH KINNEY — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Promoted to Cor- 
poral, January 2, 1862; to Sergeant, April 29, 1863. Mustered 
out with company. Died National Military Home, Ohio, since 
the war. 

MICHAEL KELLY — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Veteran Volun- 
teer. Transferred to Company E, One Hundred and Fifth Regi- 
men, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Missing at Spottsylvania, May 
12, 1863. 

MATTHEW KANE — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Promoted to Cor- 
poral; to Sergeant, May, 1862: to First Sergeant, February 18, 
1863. Wounded at Gettysburg, Pa., July 3, 1863. Mustered out 
with company. Died since the war. 

JAMES KIERNAN — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, January 8, 1863. Mexican Veteran. Died 
since the war. 

WILLIAM LEONARD — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Discharged 
July 29, 1864, for wounds received at Fredericksburg, Va., 
December 13, 1863. Died 1895, National Military Home, Ohio. 

LAWRENCE LYNN — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Discharged Sep- 
tember 13, 1862, for wounds received at Oak Grove, Va., .June 
25, 1862. 



378 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

PATRICK LARKINS — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Transferred to 
Veteran Reserve Corps, July 1, 1863. Died since tlie war. 

WILLIAM R. MARTIN — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Wounded at 
Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862, and at Chancellorsville, Va., 
May 3, 1863. Mustered out with company. 

FREDERICK MARKS — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Discharged 
on surgeon's certificate, January 5, 1863. Mexican Veteran. 

JOSEPH MARKLE — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Veteran Volun- 
teer. Transferred to Company B, One Hundred and Fifth Regi- 
ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

SAMUEL MOORE — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Promoted to Cor- 
poral, October 8, 1863. Wounded at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 
1864. Mustered o\it with company. 

JAMES MASON — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Promoted to Cor- 
poral, October 8, 1863. Mustered out witn company. 

FRANCIS MOONEY — Mustered in November 1, 1861. Transferred 
to Company E, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 

WILLIAM MYER — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Transferred to 
Company K, 1862. 

PHILIP McDERMOTT — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Killed at Fair 
Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. 

JAMES McGRAW — Mustered in August 6. 1861. Deserted June 25, 
1862. 

JAMES McMANUS — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Mustered out with 
company. Died since the war. 

FRANCIS Mc WILLIAMS — Mustered in August 6. 1861. Discharged 
on surgeon's certificate, February 5, 1863. Died since the war. 

EDWARD McGINNISS — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Killed at 
Second Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. 

PATRICK McxNICHOLS — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Discharged 
on surgeon's certificate, March 9, 1862. Died since the war. 

JOHN McCULLOUGH — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Killed at Sec- 
ond Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. 

JOHN McANULTY — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Discharged 
August 13, 1862, for wounds received at Charles City Cross 
Roads, Va., June 30, 1862. Died since the war. 

JOHN McGUIRE — Mustered in August 6, 186i. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, March 9, 1862. 

EDWARD O'NEILL, SR. — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Wounded 
at Second Bull Run, Va., August 2 9, 1862. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, November 9, 1862. Died since the war. 

EDWARD O'NEILL, JR. — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Mustered 
out with company. Died National Military Home, Ohio, about 
1877. 

JOSEPH O'BREIN — Mustered in August 6, lS6i. Deserted July 23, 
1863. 

WILLIAM O'ROURKE — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Promoted to 
Corporal, October 8, 1863. Mustered out with company. Died 
since the war. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 379 

JOHN A. ROGERS — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Killed at Fair 
Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. 

WILHELM ROTH — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Wounded at 
Gettysburg, Pa., July 3, 1863. Transferred to Veteran Reserve 
Corps, December 31, 1863. Died since the war. 

JOHN SHIELDS — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Promoted to Cor- 
poral, October 8, 1863. Wounded at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 
1864. Mustered out with company. 

JACOB SCHUYLER — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Discharged 
December 16, 1862, on account of wounds received at Charles 
Cross Roads, Va., June 30, 1862. 

JAMES SMITH — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Discharged August 
2 9, 1862, on account of wounds received at Charles City Cross 
Roads, Va., June 30, 1862. 

JOSEPH H. WEEKS — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Died May 15, 
1863, of wounds received at Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. 

JAMES H. WIGGINS — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, January 8, 1862. Died 1876. 

JOHN WOODS — Mustered in. August 6, 1861. Wounded at Second 
Bull Run, Va., August 2 9, 1862. Transferred to Veteran Reserve 
Corps. Died at Philadelphia, Pa., since the war. 

SAMUEL R. WOODS — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Killed at Second 
Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. 

PETER WEAVER — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Promoted to Cor- 
poral, March 15, 1S62; to Sergeant, March 4, 1863. Mustered 
out with comi)any. Died since the war. 

WILLIAM WHITESIDES — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Wounded 
at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. Transferred to Veteran 
Reserve Corps, January 24, 1864. Died since the war. 

MICHAEL WELSH — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, December 13, 1861. Died since the war. 

LEVI ALLSHOUSE — Drafted July 17, 1863. Wounded at Wilder- 
ness, Va., May 5, 1864. Transferred to Conii)any C, One Hun- 
dred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since 
the war. 

JOHN ANDERSON — Drafted July 11, 1863. Killed at North Anna 
River, Va., May 24, 1864. 

FRANKLIN J. ADAMS — Drafted July 18, 1863. Died November 
26, 1863. Buried National cemetery, Culpepper Court House, 
Va., block 1, section A, row 3, grave 99. 

JOHN W. BENNETT — Drafted July 16, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Died since the war. 

JOHN BURKHEIMER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, December 23, 1861. Died since the war. 

.lOHN BARTMAN — Drafted September 4, 1863. Deserted September 
30, 1863. 

.JOSHUA BROWN — Recruited February 27, 1864. Not nn muster 
out roll. Died since the war. 

RICHARD COOPER — Drafted July 11. 1863. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, January 28, 1864. Died since the war. 



380 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

BENJAMIN F. COURSIN — Drafted July 18, 186|3. Transferred to 
Company C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 

MICHAEL CALLIN — No record of joining regiment. Wounded at 
Fredericksburg, Va., December 12, 1862, and discharged April 
28, 1863, for wounds received there. Died since the war. 

PATRICK CONNOR — Drafted July 11, 1863. Captured June 3, 
1864. Died at Annapolis, Md., November 27, 1864. Buried 
National cemetery, Annapolis, grave 1609. 

ALEX. CAMERON — Drafted September 7, 1863. Transferred to 
Company K, and to Company K, One Hundred and Fifth Regi- 
ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers later. Died National Military 
Home, California, March 6, 1903. Buried San Barnadino, Cal. 

PATRICK DEAN — Recruited January 3, 1864. Transferred to Com- 
pany H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. 

ANDREW DOUGLASS — Drafted July 17, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. 

WILFRIED S. DADY — Drafted September 8, 1863. Captured at Wil- 
derness, May 5, 1864. Transferred to Company H, One Hundred 
and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since the 
war. 

DANIEL J. DELANEY — Drafted July 17, 1863. Transferred to 
Company H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. 

WILLIAM FIERST — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Mustered out with 
company. Died September 1, 1902, at Pittsburgh, Pa. 

GEORGE W. FISHNELL — Joined March 21, 1862. Died near Fair 
Oaks, Va., June 28, 1862. 

PATRICK FORD — Mustered in February 25, 1864. Not on muster 
out roll. Died since the war. 

WILLIAM GEORGE — Drafted July 18, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Died since the war. 

LBBANAH H. HETRICK — Drafted July 18, 1863. Transferred to 
Company C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 

JOSEPH HOLMES — Drafted September 8, 1863. Deserted September 
26, 1863. 

JACKSON JONES — Drafted July 11, 1863. Transferred to Company 
F, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 
Died since the war. 

JOHN JOHNSTON — Mustered in August 28, 1862. Killed at Second 
Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. 

JOHN JACO — Drafted July 16, 1863. Died June 17, 1864, of wounds 
received at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Buried at National 
cemetery, Arlington, Va., grave 6138. 

THOMAS KELLY — Mustered in January 16, 1863. Transferred to 
Company K, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 381 

GEORGE H. KING— Drafted July 13, 1863. Died at Fort Schuyler, 
N. Y., June 15, 1864, of wounds received at Wilderness, Va., 
May 5, 1864. 

JOHN W. LYNN — Mustered in September 2, 1861. Wounded in front 
of Petersburg, Va., March 23, 1862; at Mine Run, Va., Decem- 
ber 24, 1862, and at Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1864. Transferred 
to Company F, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. 

WILLIAM MANN — Mustered in January 16, 1863. Transferred to 
Company F, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Killed at Petersburg, Va 

DAVID MAKOWN — Drafted July 17, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Died since the war. 

THOMAS McDERMOTT — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Discharged 
on surgeon's certificate, December 31, 1861. Died since the war. 

ESCEL PALMER— Drafted September 3, 1S63. Died at Alexandria, 
Va., October 12, 1863. Grave 991. 

PETER QUINN — Mustered in March 18, 1863. Died at Philadel- 
phia, Pa., August 5, 1863. 

CHARLES ROGERS — Drafted September 9, 1863. Transferred 
to Company H, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 

JOHN REYNOLDS — Drafted September 8, 1863. Deserted May 5, 
1864. 

ISAAC SMITH — Drafted July 16, 1863. Transferred to Company F, 
One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 
Died since the war. 

FRANCIS SNYDER — Drafted July 16, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany C, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Died since the war. 

JAMES SMITH — Mustered in August 6, 1861. Discharged August 
29, 1862, on account of wounds received at Charles City Cross 
Roads, Va., June 30, 1862. Died since the war. 

GEORGE W. STANLEY — Mustered in September 8, 1862. Captured 
at Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1864. Died in prison; date unknown. 

JAMES STEVENSON — Drafted July 21, 1863. Deserted June 18, 
1864. 

CORNELIUS TOBIN — Mustered in March 17, 1863. Transferred to 
Company E, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. 

WILLIAM H. THOMPSON— Drafted July 18, 1863. Transferred to 
Company E, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 

PETER WHEELAN — Mustered in November 1, 1861. Veteran 
Volunteer. Transferred to Company H, One Hundred and Fifth 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died Pittsburgh, Pa., Feb- 
ruary, 1903. 

NEWTON WILSON— Drafted July 16, 1863. Wounded at Wilder- 
ness, Va.. May 6, 1864. Transferred to Company F, Oiu' Hun- 
dred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 



382 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

Killed or died, of wounds 28 

Died of disease 9 

Discharged 32 

Deserted 11 

Transferred to other regiments 39 

Mustered out 2 5 



Total enrolled 144 

Wounded in action 38 



HISTORY OF COMPANY I. 



At a meeting called August 12, 1861, in Alliquipa Hall, foot 
Market street, McKeesport, Pa., for the enrollment and enlistment 
of a company, Rev. D. I. K. Rine a very stirring and patriotic 
speech, and at its close some sixty-one young men enrolled their 
names. Two days after they left on the steamer Bayard for Camp 
Wilkins, near Pittsburgh, under command of James F. Ryan, who 
was the unanimous choice as captain. 

Within a week after enlisting, one hundred having been recruited 
and added to the company, we were mustered and sworn into the 
United States service by Captain Hays, U. S. A., and immediately, 
via Pennsylvania Railroad Company, in box cars, went to Washing- 
ton, D. C, remaining over night and part of next day in a large 
barracks known as "The Soldiers' Rest," when we were sent out to 
our first camp, Georgetown, D. C, and assigned to the Sixty-third 
Regiment, without tents, uniforms or guns, sleeping for the first 
time on the ground without covering, but beavitifully refreshed about 
midnight with a heavy rainfall. A few days later we were marched 
to the United States arsenal to receive guns and ammunition. Will 
we ever forget the guns that fired from both ends? Took boat at 
Washington to Alexandria, Va., went into Camp Johnston, Arlington 
Heights, Va. Here George W. Gray, of McKeesjJort, having recruited 
some eighteen men which completed the full complement of one 
hundred and one men which was added to Company I, Color Company. 
James F. Ryan was commissioned as captain; George W. Gray, first 
lieutenant; James M. Lysle, second lieutenant; James M. Lysle being 
September 1st promoted to regimental quartermaster, was killed six 
months later at Pohick Church, Va. James F. McMullen, commis- 
sioned to fill vacancy of second lieutenant September 1, 1861, vice 
Lieutenant Lysle, resigned July 26, 1862. David C. Crawford was 
commissioned September 1, 1864, seco;id lieutenant, vice James F. 
McMullen, resigned. First Lieutenant George W. Gray promoted as 
captain Company C, transferred September 1, 1862. Andrew C. 
Critchlow promoted September 1, 1862, to first lieutenant, vice 
George W. Gray, transferred to captain Company C. Captain James 
F. Ryan promoted major, December 19, 1863. William Mcintosh was 
commissioned January 3, 1864, captain, vice James F. Ryan, i)ro- 
moted to major. 



384 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

At the close of the three years' service, the company was mustered 
out September 19, 1864; those of the company re-enlisting as Veter- 
ans, were transferred to the One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers. The enrollment of the company, including 
recruits, drafted, etc., numbered 131. 

ROSTER. 

JAMES F. RYAN, Captain — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Promoted 
to Major, December 19, 1863. Discharged April 1, 1864. Died 
since the war at McKeesport, Pa. 

GEORGE W. GRAY, First Lieutenant — Mustered in August 19, 1861. 
Promoted to Captain Company C, July 26, 1862. Resigned 
November 10, 1862. Died since the war. 

JAMES F. McMULLEN, Second Lieutenant — Mustered in August 19, 
1861. Discharged July 26, 1862. 

JOHN H. COOPER, Sergeant — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Dis- 
charged on surgeon's certificate, January 7, 1863, on account of 
disability. Died Pittsburgh, Pa., January 3, 1906. Buried in 
Versailles cemetery, McKeesport, Pa. 

GEORGE W. MANSFIELD, Sergeant — Mustered in August 19, 1861. 
Killed at Nelson's Farm, Va., June 30, 1862. 

WILLIAM STACY, Sergeant — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Killed 
at Second Bull Run, August 29, 1862. 

DAVID C. CRAWFORD, Sergeant — Mustered in August 19, 1861. 
Promoted to Second Lieutenant, September 1, 1864. Wounded 
at Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863, and at Wilderness, Va., 
May 6, 1864. Transferred as Captain, to Company E, One Hun- 
dred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Veteran 
Volunteer. 

JOHN H. WEST, Sergeant — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Promoted 
to First Sergeant, September 4, 1864. Veteran Volunteer. 
Transferred to Company I, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, -as First Lieutenant. Died since the 
war. 

ANDREW C. CRITCHLOW, Corporal — Mustered in August 19, 1861. 
Promoted to First Lieutenant. Resigned January 9, 1863. Died 
since the war. 

JOHN H. HOFFMAN, Corporal — Mustered in August 19, 1861. 
Wounded at Second Bull Run, August 29, 1862. Promoted to 
Sergeant, May 3, 1863. Mustered out with company. 

JOHN MUNKITTRICK, Corporal — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Dis- 
charged on surgeon's certificate, November 6, 1862. Died since 
the war. 

WILLIAM SAMPLE, Corporal — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Dis- 
charged October 25, 1862, for wounds received at Second Bull 
Run. August 2 9, 1862. Died since the war. 

CHRISTOPHER C. PAWCETT, Corporal — Mustered in August 19, 
1861. Wounded at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864, and at 
Petersburg, June 19, 1864. Absent wounded at muster out. 

JOSEPH WALTHOUR, Musician — Mustered in August 19, 1861. 
Mustered out with company. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 3S5 

WILLIAM Mcintosh, corporal — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Pro- 
moted to First Lieutenant, May 3, 1863; to Captain, January 3, 
1864. Wounded May 22, 1864. Absent at muster out. Died 
at Esplen, Pittsburgh, Pa., January 28, 1902. 

JOHN BELLAS, Corporal — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Trans- 
ferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, September 30, 1863. Died 
since the war. 

W. P. WAMPLER, Musician — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Mus- 
tered out with company. Died McKeesport, Pa., January 24, 
1907. Buried Varsailles cemetery. 

WILLIAM BROWN, Wagoner — Mustered in August 19, 1861. 
Wounded at Second Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. Discharged 
February 20, 1863. Died January 2 3, 1896, at Stewart Station, 
Pa. Buried Union cemetery, Penn township, Allegheny county, 

PRIVATES. 

PHILIP ALLEBRAND — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Promoted to 

Sergeant. Died June 21, 1864, of wounds received at Peters- 
burg, Va., June 18, 1864. 
JOHN ALLEBRAND — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Killed at 

Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1864. 
WILLIAM ATWATER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to 

Quartermaster Sergeant, September 1, 1862. Died July 6, 1886, 

McKeesport, Pa. 
WILLIAM BROWN — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Mustered out 

with company. Died since the war. 
JAMES BICKERSTAFF — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Died May 

6, 1864, of wounds received at Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Burled 

National cemetery, Fredericksburg, Va. Grave 302. 
BAILEY COOK — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Wounded at New 

Market Cross Roads, June 30, 1862. Discharged November 19, 

1862. Died since the war. 
THADDEUS F. CLYMER — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Promoted 

to Corporal. Discharged February 22, 1864, for wounds received 

at Mine Run, Va., November 27, 1863. 
JOHN CONWAY — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Deserted August 

15, 1862. 
STACY CRAIG — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Died July 19, 1862. 

Buried Cypress Hill cemetery. Long Island. Grave 239. 
ROBERT W. CLARK — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Deserted 

October 9, 1862. 
GEORGE DOUGHERTY — Mustered in August 19. 1861. Discharged 

on surgeon's certificate, April 3o, 1862. Died since the war. 
.TOHN G. DOUGHERTY — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Discharged 

on surgeon's certificate. October 30, 1862. Died since the war. 
WILLIAM DAY — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Died June 14, 

1862, of wounds received at i^air Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. 
SANDY C. DRENNAN — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Promoted to 

Sergeant. Killed at Wilderness. Va.. May fi, 1864. Buried 

National cemetery, Fredericksburg, Va. 



386 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

WILLIAM DIAS — Mustered in August 10, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, August 10, 1863. 

WINFIELD S. DAVIS — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Discharged 
December 5, 1862, for wounds received at Fair Oaks, Va., May 
31, 1862. 

JOSEPH L. EVANS — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Promoted to 
Sergeant, August 14, 1862. Wounded at Groveton, Va., August 
29, 1862; at Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863; at Petersburg, 
Va., June 18, 1864; in front of Petersburg, Va., October 2, 1864; 
and at Hatcher's Run. Va., October 27, 1864. Veteran Volun- 
teer. Transferred to Company D, One Hundred and Fifth Regi- 
ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, as First Lieutenant. 

ALBERT G. FASOLD — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Died June 
24, 1862. 

SAMUEL FIELDS — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, August 10, 1863. Died at McKeesport, 
Pa., June 12, 1905. Buried Versailles cemetery. 

HENRY F. FREIMANN — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Promoted 
to Hospital Steward United States Army, March 16, 1863. 

ALEXANDER D. FOSTER — Mustered in September 19, 1861. Pro- 
moted to Corporal, August 15, 1862, and April 15, 1864. 
Wounded at Nelson's Farm, Va., June 30, 1862, and June 18, 
1864. iQn detached service in Battery B, N. J. Artillery Sep- 
tember 6, 1862, to April, 1864. Absent wounded at muster out. 

WILLIAM P. GILBERT — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Veteran 
Volunteer. Transferred to Company I, One Hundred and Fifth 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

JOHN N. GAMBLE — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Wounded at 
Second Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862, and at Spottsylvania, 
May 12, 1864. Promoted to Corporal and to Sergeant. Absent 
at muster out. 

PETER GALLITAN — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Discharged on 

surgeon's certificate, January 26, 1863. 
JAMES GALLITAN — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Wounded at 

Second Bull Run, Va., August 2 9, 1862, with loss of arm. 

Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, November 15, 1863. 

Died August 15, 1905, at McKeesport, Pa. 
SAMUEL GRUBAUGH — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Killed at 

Second Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. 
ROBERT F. GOULD — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Killed at 

Second Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. 
THOMPSON HOAK — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Mustered out 

with company. Died August 15, 1905, at Manor, Pa. 
THOMAS L. HUNTER — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Wounded at 

Second Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. Promoted to Corporal, 

May 6, 1864. Mustered out with company. 

SAMUEL JAMESION — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Promoted to 
Corporal. Died May 8, 1864, of wounds received at Wilderness, 
Va., May 6, 1864. Buried National cemetery, Fredericksburg, 
Virginia. 

WALTER JONES — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, October 27, 1862. Died since the war. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 387 

JAMES IRWIX — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Discharged October 
29, 1862, for wounds received at Second I^ull Run, Va., August 
29, 1862. Died since the war. 

JAMES L. KING — Mustered in August 19. 1861. Mustered out with 
company. Died in McKeesport, Pa., since tlie war. 

JOHN KEOUGH — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Discharged Sep- 
tember 16, I860, for wounds received at Second Bull Run, Va., 
August 29, 1862. Died since the war. 

PETER LAFFERTY — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. Died since the war. 

JOHN LAPE — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Mustered out with 
company. Died since the war. 

URIAH MAINS — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, April 22, 1862. Died since the war. 

JACOB MAINS — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Promoted to Cor- 
poral, May 6, 1864. Participated in every engagement in which 
his company took part; was never wounded, sick or absent a 
day during his three years' term of service. Mustered out with 
company. Died insane ward, Allegheny County Home, Pa., April 
28, 1907. 

FAUNTLEY MUSE — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Discharged 
November 28, 1862, for wounds received at Second Bull Run, 
Va., August 29, 1862; loss of arm. Died since the war. 

JAMES McKELTY — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, October 13, 1862. Died since the war. 

JOSEPH McCAULEY — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Discharged 
on surgeon's certificate, October 4, 1862. Died since the war. 

LUTHER McMAINS — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. 

DANIEL P. McINTYRE — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Mustered 
out with company. 

JOHN O'NEIL — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Captured at Manas.sas 
Junction, October 26, 1863. Died in Andersonville Prison, Ga., 
July 12, 1864. Grave 3199. 

PATRICK O'NEILL — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Killed at Fair 
Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. 

JOHN PRITCHARD — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Discharged 
November 29, 1862, for wounds received at Nelson's Farm, Va., 
June 30, 1862. Died since the war. 

GEORGE \V. PASSMORE — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Mustered 
out with company. Died since the war, at McKeesport, Pa. 

SAMUEL PERKINS — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Killed at Wil- 
derness, Va., May 5, 1864. Buried National cemetery, Fred- 
ericksburg, Va. 

.JOHN PACKER — Mustered in August 19, 1S61. Transferred to 
Veteran Reserve Corps, November lu, 1863. Died since the 
war. 

JOEL T. PAINTER — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Promoted to 
Cori)oral, May 6, 1864. Wounded in front of Richmond. Va.. 
1862; at Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863; and at Petersburg, 
Va., September 19, 1864. Absent wounded at muster out. 



388 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

WILLIAM PACKER — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Transferred to 

Veteran Reserve Corps, September 1, 1863. 
ISRAEL PANCOST — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Mustered out 

with company. Died since the war. 
JAMES PARKS — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Discharged by order 

General Court Martial, January 17, 1863. 
JOHN C. PATTERSON — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Promoted to 

Corporal. Killed at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Buried in 

National cemetery, Fredericksburg, Va. 
JOHN REILLY — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Died May 18, 1862, 

at Yorlitown. 
JOHN RAMPP — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Died April 5, 1863. 
JOHN RHYME — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Captured and died 

at Andersonville Prison, June 4, 1864. Buried National ceme- 
tery there. Grave 1599. 

JAMES D. REYNOLDS — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Discharged 
on surgeon's certificate, September 16, 1862. 

RANDOLPH R. REYNOLDS — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Dis- 
charged on surgeon's certificate, September 16, 1862. 

ALEXANDER ROBINSON — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Died May 
6, 1864, of wounds received at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. 

ISAAC SHARP — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, January 26, 1862. Died since the war. 

LEVI B. SCOTT — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Discharged Septem- 
ber 24, 1862, for wounds received at Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862. 
Died since the war. 

ARCHIBALD SCOTT — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Wounded at 
Wapping Heights, July 23, 1863. Absent at muster out. Died 
since the war. 

CLEMENT SMITH — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, January 26, 1862. Died since the war. 

GEORGE SOLES — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Wounded Nelson's 
Farm, June 30, 1862. Mustered out with company. Died 
Braddock, Pa., April 5, 1904. 

OLIVER R. SMITH — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Captured May 
31, 1862. Died at Belle Isle, Va., prison, September 2, 1862. 

CHRISTIAN SNYDER— Mustered in August 19, 1861. Discharged 
on surgeon's certificate, May 24, 1862. Died since the war. 

ALEXANDER E. TRICH — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Deserted 
and returned. Transferred to Company I, One Hundred and 
Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since the war. 

FRANCIS M. TAYLOR — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Discharged 
on surgeon's certificate, January 31, 1863. 

CHARLES TAYLOR — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, March 9> 1862. Died at Elizabeth, Pa., 
since the war. . 

WESLEY WOOD — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Died January 23, 
1862. 

ROBERT WIPER — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, December 14, 1862. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 389 

JAMES WIPER — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, April 26, 1862. 

ALEXANDER WIPER — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Wounded at 
Second Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. Transferred to Second 
United States Cavalry, January 6, 1863. 

PETER WRAY — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, March 26, 1868. Died since the war. 

ARCHIBALD WATSON — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Transferred 
to Company I, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Veteran Volunteer. 

JOHN S. WOLF — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Discharged Decem- 
ber 10, 1862, for w^ounds received at Second Bull Run, August 
29, 1862. Died since the war. 

THEODORE C. WALKER — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Dis- 
charged February 3, 1863, for wounds received at Fredericks- 
burg, Va., December 14, 1863. 

JOHN WHITESELL — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Killed at Nel- 
son's Farm, Va., June 30, 1862. 

JAMES WHITESELL — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Killed at Nel- 
son's Farm, Va., June 30, 1862. 

WILLIAM WHIGHAM — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Wounded at 
Second Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862, and at Wilderness, Va., 
May 5, 1864. Absent wounded at muster out. 

WILLIAM ZIMMERMAN — Mustered in August 19, 18 61. Veteran 
Volunteer. Transferred to Company I, One Hundred and Fifth 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since the war. 

GEORGE BARNETT — Drafted Juiy 11, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany I, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Died since the war. 

STEPHEN BENNETT — Drafted July 11, 1863. Wounded at Spott- 
sylvania, May 12, 1864. Transferred to Company I, One Hun- 
dred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since 
the war. 

STEPHEN BOSSINGER — Drafted July 18, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany I, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
leers. Died June 10, 1907. 

JAMES H. BRISCO — Drafted September 9, 1863. Transferred to 
Company 1, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the war. 

JOHN BURNWORTH— Drafted July 16, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany I, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Died since the war. 

SAMUEL BIDDLE — Drafted July 11, 1863. Deserted May 5, 1864. 

MATTHEW CANNON — Drafted July 16, 1863. Transferred to 
Company I, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died since the wai. 

MILTON COYAN — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon'? certificate. May 11, 1862. 

THOMAS G. DOUGLASS — Drafted .luly 11, 1863. Transferred to 
Company I, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died October 15, 1903, at Boston, Pa. 



390 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

JACOB DAVIS — Drafted July 18, 1863. Died at Alexandria, Va., 

October 15, 1863. Grave 1010. 
JOHN DITMAN — Drafted July 12, 1863. Killed at Wilderness, Va., 

May 5, 1864. 
JOHN DENNEY — Drafted September 3, 1863. Deserted November 

27, 1863. 
THOMAS H. EVANS — Mustered in August 3, 1864. Transferred to 

Company I, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 

Volunteers. 
DAVID FREDERICK — Drafted July 11, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany I, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Died since the war. 
WILLIAM GEORGE — Drafted July 18, 1863. Killed at Wilderness, 

Va., May 5, 1864. 
WILSON GOULD — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Died September 

29, 1861. Buried Military Asylum cemetery, Washington, D. C. 

Grave 2 377. 
COLEMAN C. HUEY — Mustered in August 19, 1861. Discharged on 

surgeon's certificate, November 18, 1861. Died since the war. 
ISAAC H. JONES — Drafted July 10, 1863. Wounded at Wilderness, 

Va., May 5, 1864. Transferred to Company 1, One Hundred and 

Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since the war. 
JOHN LOTZ — Drafted July 13, 1863. Transferred to Company I, One 

Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died 

since the war. 
WILLIAM A. MAHAFFEY — Drafted July 11, 1863. Transferred to 

Company I, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 

Volunteers. Died McKeesport, Pa., March 11, 1898. 
THOMAS MOORE — Drafted July 18, 1863. Transferred to Company 

I, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

Died since the war. 
BENJAMIN MEREDITH — Drafted July 11, 1863. Died May 6, 1864, 

of wounds recdived at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. 
NATHAN M. McLELLAND — Drafted September 9. 1863. Wounded 

at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Transferred to Company I, 

One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

Died since the war. 
JOSEPH McMURRAY — Drafted July 11, 1863. Transferred to 

Company I, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 

Volunteers. Died since the war. 
WILLIAM C. ORRIS — Drafted September 3, 1863. Transferred to 

Company I, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 

Volunteers. 
SAMUEL G. PENNEY — Enlisted August 19, 1861. Promoted to 

Second Lieutenant United States Army, November 1, 1861. 

Died since the war. 
HENRY SHERRY — Drafted July 18, 1863. Captured at Petersburg, 

January 22, 1864. Transferred to Company I, One Hundred and 

Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since the war. 
HENRY YOUNT — Drafted July IS, 1863. Transferred to Company 

I, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

Died since the war. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 391 

ISAAC YOUNT — Drafted September 5, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany I, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Killed in front of Petersburg, Va., at Fort Hell. 

JACOB YOUNT — Drafted July 18, 1863. Deserted May 3, 1864. 

Killed or died of wounds 19 

Died of disease 11 

Discharged 36 

Deserted 5 

Transferred to other regiments 33 

Mustered out 2 4 

Resigned 2 



Total enrolled 130 

Wounded in action 37 



HISTORY OF COMPANY K. 

Known as the Hays Guards. 



Company K, Sixty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, was organized 
as follows: Charles Wesley Chapman was raising a company in 
Pittsburgh, Pa., the demand was so great for troops at Washington 
that he joined the Sixty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers at Washing- 
ton, D. C, with fifty-four men; a man named Lightner also came to 
the regiment with fifty-two men from Mercer county. 

These two squads were consolidated and elected Charles W. Chap- 
man as captain; William Hays Brown as first lieutenant, and Theo- 
dore Baggaley as second lieutenant. The officer that recruited the 
squad from Mercer county being well along in years, retired. 

The company thus organized was given the position of left centre 
company and designated as Company "K;" the colors of the regiment 
had position on right of company. 

The majority of the company were native born; the only Ger- 
man being Augustus Moots; but there were several of German parent- 
age; four Scotch and ten Irish, and the average age was about nine- 
teen. 

The history of Company "K" is the history of the regiment, as 
they were never detached, and participated in all the engagements 
of the Sixty-third. 



ROSTER. 



CHARLES W. CHAPMAN, Captain — Mustered in September 23, 1861. 
Killed on picket, March 5, 1862. 

WILLIAM HAYS BROWN, First Lieutenant — Mustered in September 
23,1861. Promoted to Captain, March 5, 1862. Died at Harris- 
burg, Pa., May 4, IS 62. 

THEODORE BAGGALEY, Second Lieutenant — Mustered in Septem- 
ber 23, 1861. Promoted to First Lieutenant, March 5, 1862; to 
Captain, May 15, 1862. Wounded with loss of arm at Malvern 
Hill, Va. Discharged December 15, 1862, on account of wounds. 
Died since the war. 

ROBERT G. MOWRY, First Sergeant — Mustered in , 1861. 

Promoted to Second Lieutenant, March 5, 1862. Dismissed July 
26, 1862. Died since the war. 

WILLIAM McCLEERY, Fourth Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 
1861. Promoted to Second Lieutenant, December 16, 1862. 
Discharged May 6, 1864, on account of wounds. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 393 

GEORGE B. CHALMERS, Second Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 
1861. Promoted to First Lieutenant, May 15, 1862; to Captain, 
December 16, 1862. Wounded in upper left arm at Fair Oaks, 
Va., May 31, 1862, and at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. 
Discharged on account of wounds, August 6, 1864. 

THOMAS W. BOGGS, Third Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Promoted to Second Sergeant, July 26, 1862; to First Lieuten- 
ant, December 16, 18G2. Wounded at Bristoe Station. Dis- 
missed March 4, 1864. Died since the war. 

ROBERT STANFORD, Fifth Sergeant — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Promoted to First Sergeant, December 25, 1863, to First Lieu- 
tenant, April, 1864. Not mustered. Wounded with loss of 
arm at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Veteran Volunteer. 
Died August 1, 1903, at Philadelphia, Pa. Buried Westminster 
cemetery. 

DANIEL GROSCOST, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Pro- 
moted to Sergeant. Mustered out with company. Died since 
the war. 

FREDERICK PATTERSON, Corporal — Mustered in September 6, 
1861. Promoted to Sergeant, 1862. Absent sick at muster out. 

JAMES M. MENOLD, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Dis- 
charged February 7, 1863, on account of wounds. Died since the 
war. 

JAMES CLARK, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged 
on surgeon's certificate, August 1, 1862. Died since the war. 

MARTIN CLARK, Captured — Mustered in ■ . Died in 

prison, Richmond, Va. ; date unknown. 

JONAS J. PIERCE, Corporal — Mustered in October 9, 1861. Dis- 
charged December 16, 1861, and appointed First Lieutenant One 
Hundred and Eleventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

JAMES EGGLESON, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mus- 
tered out with company. Died since the war. 

JOHN D. WOODS, Cori)oral — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted 
to Sergeant. Mustered out with company. Died since the war. 

JAMES PERKINS, Corporal — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered 
out with company. 

REUBEN BEARCE, Musician — Mustered in Angus 1, 1861. Veteran 
Volunteer. Transferred to Company K, One Hundred and Fifth 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

GEORGE W. FITZGERALD, Musician — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 
Promoted to Sergeant. Wounded at Chancellorsville, Va., May 
3, 1863, and at Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Mustered out with 
company. 

JOHN M. BAIR — Mustered in August 10, 1861. Veteran Volunteer. 
Transferred to Company K, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, 
Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died January 7, 1908, at Bassett, 
Neb. Buried there. 

WASHINGTON BELL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Mustered out with company. Died 
since the war. 

DAVID W. BEATTY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died February 
7, 1863. Buried Soldiers' Home cemetery, Washington, D. C, 
grave 3344. 



394 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

JOHN HARVEY, Wagoner — Mustered in August 1, 1861." Mustered 
out with company. 

JASPER BENTLEY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died December 
19, 1861. 

JEREMIAH S. BUNCE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at 
Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. Buried Soldiers' Home ceme- 
tery, Washington, D. C. Grave 172 9. 

EDMUND BRINDLEY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate. Died since the war. 

DAVID BRAINARD — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died 1862. 

JAMES CARNEY — Mustered in August 10, 1861. Veteran Volun- 
teer. Killed at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. 

JOHN CRAIG — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at Wilder- 
ness, Va., May 5, 1864. Mustered out with company. Died 
since the war. 

JAMES CONNOLLY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to Cor- 
poral. Prisoner from June 22, 1864, to November 26, 1864. 
Discharged February 16, 1865. Died since the war. 

ELIPHALET CROW — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at York- 
town, Va. 

JOSEPH COXEN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Veteran Volunteer. 
Transferred to Company K, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, 
Pennsylvania Volunteers. Killed at Hatcher's Run, Va., October, 
1864. 

WILLIAM DRAKE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
account of wounds, March 26, 1863. 

JAMES DAVIS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out with 
company. 

WILLIAM DAVIS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died of wounds, 

February 16, 1864. 
DAVID A. DAVIS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out with 

company. Died at National Military Home, Milwaukee, Wis., 

June 17, 1906. Buried there. 
PATRICK DELANEY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 

Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Absent wounded at muster out. 
ROBERT DUNHAM — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 

account of wounds received November 27, 1862. Died since the 

war. 

SAMUEL DUNHAM — Mustered in August 10, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. 

JOHN DOUGAN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, July 1, 1863. Died since the war. 

WILLIAM EVANS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, account blindness, April 13, 1863. Died since 
the war. 

HENRY W. EBERMAN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died May 3, 
1862, at Yorktown, Va. Buried in National cemetery there, 
grave 22 8. 

MORGAN EATON — Mustered in August 1, 18 61. Died at Harmony 
Hospital, September 8, 1862. Buried National cemetery, Arling- 
ton, Va. Grave 11,999. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 395 

I. HAYS DEAN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Veteran Volunteer. 
Transferred to Company K, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, 
Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died December 2 9, 1900, at Beaver 
Falls, Pa. Buried Grove cemetery. New Brighton, Pa. 

ROBERT FERGUSON^ — Mustered in August 10, 1861. Discharged 
September 15, 1862, on account of wounds received March 5, 
1862. 

JOHNSON FULLER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Veteran Volun- 
teer. Transferred to Company K, One Hundred and Fifth Regi- 
ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Died since the war. 

HENRY FRITSCH — Mustered in August 1. 1861. Mustered out with 
with company. Died at National Military Home, Ohio, July 5, 
1899. Buried there. 

THOMAS FARRELL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 

Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Mustered out with company. Died 

since the war. 
JAMES 0. FLOWER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 

surgeon's certificate, March 22, 1862. Died Pittsburgh, Pa., 

November 8, 190 6. 
JOHN G. GREEN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at Second 

Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. 
JAMES GRACE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, December 18, 1862. Died since the war. 
REUBEN GEORGE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged 

November 4, 1862, on account of wounds. Died since the war. 
ROBERT GASKILL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at Peters- 
burg, Va., January 18, 1864. 
HENRY HARRIS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out with 

company. Wounded at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. 
NATHAN P. HOFFMAN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered 

out with company. 
ROBERT HODGE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at Second 

Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. 
JAMES Q. HODGE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 

Spottsylvania, Va., May 12, 1864. Absent sick at muster out. 
THOMAS HOLLABAUGH — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died 

December 19, 1861, at Camp Johnston, Va. Buried Soldiers' 

Home cemetery, Washington, D. C. Grave 42 62. 
STEWART HODGE — Mustered in August 10, 1861. Deserted 

December 13, 1862. 
GEORGE W. HILDERBRAND — Mustered in August 1, 1861. 

Wounded. Discharged February 24, 1862, on account of wounds. 

Died since the war. 
ANDREW JONES — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 

account of disability. 
JACOB KEITH — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at Second Bull 

Run, Va., August 29, 1862. 
FREDERICK LATHERS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded 

at Cold Harbor, Va., June 3, 1864. Promoted to Corporal. July, 

1863. Mustered out with company. Died at New Castle, Pa., 

October 4, 1906. Buried Oak Park cemetery. 



396 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

JAMES KENNEDY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 

surgeon's certificate, January 2, 1863. Died since the war. 
EDWARD KELLY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died at Yorlt- 

town, Va., May 13, 1862. Buried in National cemetery there. 

Grave 352. 
JOHN F. LINN- — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at Chancel- 

lorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. Discharged November 27, 1863, on 

account of wounds. 

MICHAEL MURRAY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, February 2 5, 1863. Died since the war. 

MICHAEL MURRAY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died 1862. 

WILLIAM MYERS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, February 19, 1863. Died since the war. 

JOHN MULLIN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out with 
company. Died since the war. 

JAMES MORAN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at Wilder- 
ness, Va., May 6, 1864. 

ALFRED MITCHELL^ — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Buried 
National cemetery, Fredericksburg, Va. Grave 4144. 

JAMES McKBLVY — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. 

MART McGRAW — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Deserted. 

HIRAM MITCHELL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died at York- 
town, Va., June 2, 1862. Buried National cemetery there, grave 
1133. 

ALEXANDER MITCHELL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at 
Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. 

JAMES M. MITCHELL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. No record. 

ROBERT H. MARTIN — Mustered in Augusr 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, September 25, 1862. Died since the war. 

AUGUSTUS MOOTZ — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at Second 
Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. 

GEORGE MULHOLLAND — Mustered in October 9, 1861. Deserted 
December 13, 1862. 

WILLIAM M. McGRANAHAN^ — Mustered in 1861. Promoted to Ser- 
geant Major, May 12, 1862; to Adjutant, November 12, 1862. 
Died May 30, 1863, of wounds received at Chancellorsville, Va., 
May 3, 1863. 

HUGH McCANN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died at Yorktown, 
Va., June 16, 1862. 

SAMUEL Mcdowell — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out 
with company. Died since the war. 

JOHN McKAYE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at Fred- 
ericksburg, Va., December 13, 1863. 

DAVID L. McQUISTON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at 
Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Absent wounded at muster out. 

ROBERT D. McKEAN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, January 27, 1863. Died since the war. 

MILES McCULLOUGH — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, September 2 9, 1863. Died since the war. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 397 

WILLIAM A. McMILLIN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died May 
16, 1864, from wounds received at Wilderness, Va., May 5, 
1864. 

WILLIAM C. MIMS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Transferred to 
Regular Army. 

ROBERT ORR — Mustered in August 10, 1861. Wounded at Second 
Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. Promoted to Corporal, October 
30, 1862. Veteran Volunteer. Transferred to Company K, One 
Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, 

WALTER J. REED — Mustered in August 1, 1861. W^ounded at 
Gettysburg, Pa., July 3, 1863. Promoted to Corporal. Mus- 
tered out w^ith company. 

SAMUEL C. RUST — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certifiacte, March 17, 1863. 

WOODS REED — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died in hospital, 
April 21, 1862. 

JOHN M. SMITH — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Promoted to Cor- 
poral. Veteran Volunteer. Transferred to Company K, One 
Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

WILLIAM SMITH — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, October 10, 1863. 

THOMAS SCULLY — Mustered in August 10, 1861. Discharged 
January 21, 1863, on account of wounds received at Second 
Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. 

SAMUEL R. STAMBAUGH — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered 
out with company. 

WILLIAM H. SHANER — Mustered in September .5, 1861. Promoted 
to Corporal. Wounded at Spottsylvania, Va., May 12, 1864. 
Mustered out with company. 

JOHN STEISTER — Mustered in . Died at Chesepeake 

Hospital, September 12, 1862. 

.TOHN STOFF — Mustered in . Discharged on sur- 
geon's certificate, December 30, 1861. Died since the war. 

ROBERT WESTERMAN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Killed at 
Second Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. 

JAMES WHALEN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out with 
company. Died since the war. 

JOHN WILLIAMS — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Mustered out with 
company. Died since the war. 

AMOS F. WADDLE — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Died June 13, 
1862, at Yorktown, Va. Buried National cemetery there, grave 
1210. 

DANIEL B. YOUNG — Mustered in August 10, 1861. Killed Second 
Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. 

JEREMIAH HETZEL — Mustered in August I. 1861. Wounded at 
Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Mustered out with comiiany. 
Died since the war. 

THOMAS JACKSON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged oj^ 
surgeon's certificate, December 20, 1861. Died since the war. 

JOSEPH JACKSON — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Discharged on 
surgeon's certificate, January 17, 1863 Died since the war. 



398 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

HENRY HETZEL — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Right arm ampu- 
tated. Discharged March 21, 1863, on account of wounds. 
Died since the war. 

DEXTER GREENMAN — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Transferred 
to Invalid Corps. Died 1908. 

FRANK RAFTER — Mustered in August 1, 1861. Wounded at Sec- 
ond Bull Run and Hatcher's Run. Re-enlisted. Transferred to 
Company K, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Peennsylvania 
Volunteers. 

THOMAS SHANER — Mustered in February 21, 1863. Killed at 
Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. 

DARIUS ANTHONY — Drafted July 18, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany K, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. 

THOMAS BEIL — Joined February 24, 1862. Wounded at Chancel- 
lorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. Transferred to One Hundred and 
Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

JAMES BUZZARD — Drafted July 18, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany K, One Hvmdred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. Died January 3, 1865. Buried in National cemetery, 
Annapolis, Md, Grave 276. 

ELIJAH BERCE — Mustered in February 22, 1864. Transferred to 
Company K, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. 

JACOB BARNHART — Drafted July 18, 1863. Deserted November 
23, 1863. 

ROBERT R. BEATTY — Drafted July 14, 1863. Wounded in front 
of Petersburg, Va. Transferred to Company K, One Hundered 
and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

H. J. CHRISTMAN — Mustered in February 27, 1864. Transferred to 
Company K, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. 

LUTHER L. CALKINS — Drafted July 7, 1863. Wounded at Wilder- 
ness, Va., May 5, 1864. Transferred to Company K, One Hun- 
dred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvraiia Volunteers. 

ALEXANDER CAMERON — Drafted September 7, 1863. Transferred 
to Company K, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Died March 6, 1903, at San Bernandino, Cal. 

REYNOLD CUMMINGS — Drafted September 7, 1863. Captured. 
Died Andersonville Prison, September 2 7, 1864. Buried 
National cemetery, grave 982 3. 

FUNK FREED — Drafted September 4, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany K, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
Volunteers. 

DANIEL J. HASS — Mustered in February 24, 1862. Re-enlisted. 
Transferred to Company K, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, 
Pennsylvania Volunteers. 
JOHN HECKMAN — Mustered in February 24, 1862. Re-enlisted. 

• Transferred to Company K, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, 

Pennsylvania Volunteers. 
LEMUEL KEMP — Drafted July 16, 1863. Deserted September 23, 
1863. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 399 

WILLIAM HARPER — Drafted July 16, 1S63. Transferred to Com- 
pany K, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. 

JOHN L. KEAGY — Drafted July 16, 1863. Wounded at Wilderness, 
Va.. May 5, 18 64. Transferred to Company K, One Hundred 
and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

THOMAS KELLY — Drafted September 3, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany K, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. 

GEORGE MYERS — Drafted July 11, 1863. Transferred to Company 
K, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

GEORGE H. REEDY — Drafted July 18, 1863. Transferred to Com- 
pany K, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. 

DAVENPORT REILY — Drafted September 7, 1863. Deserted Octo- 
ber 14, 1863. 

JAMES H. RAMESBURG — Drafted July 16, 1863. Transferred to 
Company K, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. 

RUSSELL WBLLER — Mustered in February 24, 1862. Veteran 
Volunteer. Transferred to Company K, One Hundred and Fifth 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

JOHN WELLER — Mustered in March 7, 1864. Transferred to Com- 
pany K, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. 

ALEXANDER WALLS — Drafted July 18, 1863. Transferred to 
Company K, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. 

Killed or died of wounds 1^ 

Died of disease 19 

Discharged 33 

Deserted 6 

Dismissed 2 

Transferred to other regiments 27 

Mustered out 31 

Total enrolled 136 

Wounded in action 3 4 



400 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

VETERAN VOLUNTEERS. 

Partial list of members of the Sixty-third Regiment who re-enlisted 
for three years as Veteran Volunteers: 

Squad enlisted by Captain W. P. Hunker, of Company A, and mus- 
tered in near Culpepper, Va., February 25, 1864, by Lieutenant 
William P. ShreVe: 

Jacob Lonerbock, John Lefevere, Richard Warden, Matthew 
Schafer, George Warden, George D. Funkhauser, Henry Hamma, 
William Hamma, John R. Osborn, Byron Cowan, Harrison Lacy, 
Joseph Loll, Joseph Lichtenberger, Anthony Torry, William R. 
Nicholson, William J. Graham, Samuel C. Derwoody, Robert B. 
McCoy, George W. Taylor, Simen Blystone, Thomas L. Martin, Wil- 
Ham S. Whitman, Patrick Dean, William Dougherty, William Zim- 
merman, William Gilbert. 

Squad mustered in at Brandy Station, Va., January 4, 1804: 

Robert Orr, John M. Bair, Joseph Coxen, George Colston, Ivester 
Hays Dean, Johnston Fuller, Daniel Haas, John Heckman, James M. 
Kincaid, Joseph Markle, Jonathan McCurdy, George Stokes, Russell 
Wellar. 



DRAFTED MEN. 



Squad of one hundred men drafted and mustered into service in 
the Sixty-third Regiment, by Captain Fielding, One Hundred a^id 
Third Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers: 



Name. 
Peter Amberger, 
Levi Aras, 
Levi Alshouse, 
John F. Amment, 
Robert H. Bruce, 
Henry Bowers, 
James F. Blancett, 
Stephen Bossinger, 
Robert K. Beaty, 
George A. Brown, 
Matthew Cannon, 
John C. Church, 
William Conboy, 
Levi Claypole, 
Henry Cornwall, 
John Campbell, 
Craige Carney, 
James Devane, 
Robert Davidson, 
John Darby, 
Daniel J. Delaney, 
Jacob Davis, 
John Denny, 
Alex. J. Dies, 
Andrew Eicher, 
Jacob W. Eyman, 
Calvin Ehriger, 
John Flemming, 

Frank Freely, 
Andrew S. Fry, 
Shadrach Fuller, 
William Godfrey, 



Age. 


Occupation. 


27, 


Farmer, 


20, 


Laborer, 


20, 


Farmer, 


22, • 


Farmer, 


25, 


Carpenter, 


28, 


Laborer, 


22, 


Boatman, 


32, 


Carpenter, 


24, 


Laborer, 


25, 


Sawyer, 


37, 


Farmer, 


23, 


Laborer, 


23, 


Sailor, 


38, 


Farmer, 


21, 


Laborer, 


34, 


Furnaceman, 


24, 


Farmer, 


22, 


Laborer, 


21, 


Laborer, 


33, 


Laborer, 


21, 


Carpenter, 


21, 


Miner, 


29, 


Laborer, 


30, 


Miner, 


28, 


Farmer, 


29, 


Blacksmith, 


21, 


Farmer, 


21, 


Rolling mill 




Hand. 


24, 


Laborer, 


23, 


Lal)orer, 


36, 


Laborer, 


25, 


Printer, 



Date and Place Muster 
Sept. 2, Meadville, Pa. 
July 22, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 17, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 18, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 13, Greensburg, Pa. 
July 13, Greensburg, Pa. 
July 17, New Brighton, 
July 18, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 1 4 , Greensburg, Pa. 
July 1 6, Greensburg, Pa. 
July 16, Allegheny, Pa. 
' July 1 6, Greensburg, Pa. 
Sept. 1, Waterford, Pa. 
July 17, Allegheny, Pa. 
Sept. 3, Waterford, Pa. 
July IS, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 13, Greensburg, Pa. 
July 1 6, Greensburg, Pa. 
Sept. 2, Meadville, Pa. 
July 16, Greensburg, Pa. 
July 17, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 18, Allegheny. Pa. 
Sept. 3, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
July 17, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 1 6, Greensburg, Pa. 
July 7, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 18, Allegheny, Pa. 

July 10, Pittsburgh, Pa 
Sept. 4, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
July! 6, Greensburg, Pa. 
July 1 6, Greensburg, Pa. 
Sept. 2, Meadville, Pa. 



402 



UNDER THE RED PATCH 



Name. 
Adam Carries, 
Michael Gleason, 
Charles B. Gardner, 
James Gallagher, 
William George, 
George Hinchliffe, 
John Hagan, 
Charles Higgins, 
Cornelius Hoffman, 
Edmund Hill, 
Christ Heliger, 
William Harper, 
Isaac H. Jones, 
Wilder Jackson, 
Jolin M. Jones, 
Charles Jones, 
Robert Johnston, 
William Kline, 
Samuel S. Kemp, 
Thomas Kelly, 
George H. King, 
John L. Keagy, 
John Lutz, 
Smith Lydrick, 
Aaron Linderman, 
John Leech, 
John W. Lynn, 
Edwin Marquis, 
Samuel G. Morehead, 
Daniel Miller, 
George Metz, 
Thomas Moore, 
William Milligan, 
Jeremiah McMullen, 



Frank Nichols, 
William C. Orris, 
James O'Neil, 
Joseph O'Brien, 
Albert Papka, 
Asel Parmer, 
Joseph Rudler, 



Age. 


Occupation. 


18, 


Laborer, 


27, 


Steward, 


21, 


Clerk, 


30, 


Miner, 


21, 


Farmer, 


37, 


Wool dyer. 


22, 


Farmer, 


20, 


Boatman, 


23, 


Carpenter, 


23, 


Cotton spinner 


31, 


Laborer, 


33, 


Blacksmith, 


28, 


Blacksmith, 


18, 


Farmer, 


22, 


Laborer, 


37, 


Boatman, 


24, 


Farmer, 


25, 


Farmer, 


26, 


Farmer, 


30, 


Laborer, 


27, 


Blacksmith, 


30, 


Farmer, 


23, 


Farmer, 


22, 


Laborer, 


20, 


Farmer, 


33, 


Blacksmith, 


30, 


Papermaker, 


37, 


Carpenter, 


21, 


Laborer, 


31, 


Farmer, 


22, 


Coachmaker, 


23, 


Farmer, 


24, 


Laborer, 


21, 


Laborer, 


29, 


Farmer, 


23, 


Farmer, 


39, 


Farmer, 


25, 


Shoemaker, 


19, 


Boatman, 


27, 


Laborer, 


32, 


Laborer, 


30, 


Coppersmith, 


19, 


Laborer, 


29, 


Farmer, 



Date and Place Muster 
Sept. 2, Waterford, Pa. 
Sept. 1, Waterford, Pa. 
Sept. 3, Waterford, Pa. 
July 18, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 18, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 1 6, Greensburg, Pa. 
July 1 6, Greensburg, Pa. 
Sept. 2, Meadville, Pa. 
Sept. 2, Meadville, Pa. 
Sept. 3, Waterford, Pa. 
July 10, Pittsburgh, Pa 
July 1 6, Greensburg, Pa. 
July 10, New Brighton, 
Sept. 2, Meadville, Pa. 
Sept. 2, Waterford, Pa. 
Aug. 4, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 1 4, Greensburg, Pa. 
July 1 6, Greensburg, Pa. 
July 16, Greensburg, Pa. 
Sept. 3, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
July 13, New Brighton, 
July 1 6, Greensburg, Pa. 
July 13, New Brighton, 
July 13, Greensburg, Pa. 
July 1 6, Greensburg, Pa. 
July 18, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 1 6, Greensburg, Pa. 
July 24, New Brighton, 
Sept. 5, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 7, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 10, Pittsburgh, Pa 
July 18, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 18, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 1 6, Greensburg, Pa. 
July 1 4 , Greensburg, Pa. 
July 17, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 18, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 23, New Brighton, 
Sept. 3, Allegheny, Pa. 
Sept. 4, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
July 1 6, Greensburg, Pa. 
Sept. 4, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Sept. 3, Waterford, Pa. 
Sept. 2, Meadville, Pa. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 



403 



Charles F. Raymond, 
J. P. Rossenberger, 
John H. Romesburg, 
Phillip Sutton, 
John Shupe, 
James Smith, 
H. C. Stopp, 
M. Schevmerhoru, 
Samuel K. Shipley, 
Wilson M. Stills, 
Matthew Smith, 
Herman Sperger, 
James Stevenson, 
C. W. Smallman, 
David Slagle, 
Francis Snyder, 
Samuel Sharp, 
Hampton Thompson, 
H. D. Thompson, 
William Williams, 
Isaac Yount, 
David T. Watters, 
Newton Wilson, 
Yens P. Yohanson, 



29, 


Laborer, 


Sept. 3, 


25, 


Farmer, 


July 18, 


28, 


Laborer, 


Julyl6,i 


35, 


Farmer, 


Julyl6,i 


20, 


Farmer, 


Julyl6,i 


25, 


Farmer, 


Sept. 2, 


27, 


Brakeman, 


Sept. 2, 


19, 


Laborer, 


Sept. 2, 


20, 


Farmer, 


JulylG, 


20, 


Laborer, 


July 13, 


26, 


Laborer, 


July 28, 


34, 


Shoemaker, 


Sept. 4, 


21, 


Laborer, 


July 21, 


44, 


Shoemaker, 


Julyl3, 


33, 


Miner, 


July 18, 


34, 


Blacksmith, 


JulylG, 


20, 


Laborer, 


Sept. 7, 


33, 


Laborer, 


July 20. 


34, 


Coachmaker, 


July 16, 


22, 


Moulder, 


Sept. 3, 


24, 


Laborer, 


Sept. 5, 


22, 


Laborer, 


Sept. 3, 


20, 


Laborer, 


Julyie, 


26, 


Blacksmith, 


Sept. 8, 



Waterford, Pa. 
, Allegheny, Pa. 
Greensburg, Pa. 
Greensburg, Pa. 
Greensburg, Pa. 

Meadville, Pa. 

Meadville, Pa. 

Waterford, Pa. 
Greensburg, Pa. 
Greensburg, Pa. 
, New Brighton, 

Meadville, Pa. 
, Allegheny, Pa. 
Greensburg, Pa. 
, Allegheny, Pa. 
Greensburg, Pa. 

Meadville, Pa. 
, Allegheny, Pa. 
, Allegheny, Pa. 

Meadville, Pa. 

Allegheny, Pa. 
Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Greensburg, Pa. 

Allegheny, Pa. 



Squad of one hundred men drafted and mustered into service in 
the Sixty-third Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, by Captain W. 
A. F. Stockton, of the One Hundred and Fortieth Regiment, Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers: 



Name. 
John Ashbough, 
David Ashton, 
Franklin J. Adams, 
Levi Bush, 
George Barnett, 
Samuel Biddle, 
Andrew J. Brown, 
Stephen Bennett, 
.lames Brine, 
.lohn Bartman, 
L. S. Brown, 
.Fames W. Babcock, 
John Becker, 
John Bennett, 



Age. 


Occupation. 


Date 


22, 


Farmer, 


July 


25, 


Laborer, 


July 


21, 


Laborer, 


July 


19, 


Farmer, 


Sept. 


28, 


Coal digger. 


July 


24, 


Laborer, 


July 


24, 


Laborer, 


July 


25, 


Railroader, 


July 


18, 


Boatman, 


Sept. 


29, 


Laborer, 


Sept. 


23, 


Cooper, 


Sept. 


18, 


Farmer, 


Sept. 


23, 


Laborer, 


Sept. 


20, 


Laborer, 


July 



and Place Muster 

17, Allegheny, Pa. 
1 6, Greensburg, Pa. 

18, Allegheny, Pa. 
7, Allegheny, Pa. 

1 1, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
11, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

10, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

11, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
5, Meadville, Pa. 
4, Waterford, Pa. 
4, Waterford, Pa. 
7, Waterford. Pa. 
7, Waterford. Pa. 

1 6, Greensburg, Pa. 



404 



UNDER THE RED PATCH 



Name. 

Jacob Barnhart, 
John Biggerton, 
John Boger, 
Robert Barr, 
Oliver P. Boyd, 
Conrad Barstock, 
John Bleakney, 
Daniel Bailey, 
James Curtin, 
Ronald Cummings, 
Patrick Conner, 
Luther Calkins, 
Alexander Cameron, 
Harrison Calen, 
Anthony M. Creyton, 
Benj. P. Coursin, 
Samuel Cassady, 
John Dittman, 
John Dandly, 
Riley J. Davinport, 
Ferdinand W. Diehl, 
James Day, 
Thomas C. Douglas, 
Mathew Egleson, 
David Frederick, 
Ezra Funk, 
William George, 
Daniel Geerhart, 
William S. Grier, 
Robert J. Gaskell, 
James Gracey, 
John Hefflefinger, 
Labannah H. Hetrick, 
Lee Hileman, 
Ami Hager, 
Joseph Holme, 
Isaac Harr, 
Samuel Himes, 
Josiah M. Hays, 
AndreviT Henderson, 
George P. Hartzel, 
Francis M. Hull, 
John Henderson, 
Peter Jacob, 



Age. 


Occupation. 


43, 


Shoemaker, 


26, 


Miner, 


21, 


Farmer, 


30, 


Gardner, 


32, 


Farmer, 


21, 


Farmer, 


39, 


Farmer, 


35, 


Laborer, 


22, 


Laborer, 


24, 


Laborer, 


24, 


Laborer, 


18, 


Cooper, 


30, 


Watchmaker, 


33, 


Farmer, 


34, 


Shoemaker, 


22 


Shoemaker, 


32, 


Laborer, 


84, 


Laborer, 


21, 


Laborer. 


18, 


Farmer, 


27, 


Laborer, 


27, 


Plasterer, 


25, 


Farmer, 


29, 


Laborer, 


21, 


Railroader, 


33, 


Farmer, 


21, 


Farmer, 


22, 


Farmer, 


24, 


Gas fitter. 


19, 


Farmer, 


37, 


Laborer, 


22, 


Farmer, 


25, 


Miner, 


19, 


Farmer, 


26. 


Farmer, 


21, 


Engineer, 


23, 


Laborer, 


18, 


Farmer, 


20, 


Farmer, 


21, 


Laborer, 


27. 


Laborer, 


18, 


Farmer, 


23, 


Sailor, 


35, 


Shoemaker, 



Date and Place Muster 
July 16, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 11, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
July 1 6, Greensburg, Pa. 
July 10, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
July 11, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
July 18, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 17, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 18, Allegheny, Pa. 
Sept. 5, Waterford, Pa. 
Sept. 7, Waterford, Pa. 
July 11, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Sept. 7, Meadville, Pa. 
Sept. 7, Waterford, Pa. 
July 18, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 1 3 , Greensburg, Pa. 
July 18, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 1 6, Greensburg, Pa. 
July 12, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Sept. 4, Meadville, Pa. 
Sept. 7, Waterford, Pa. 
Sept. 7, Waterford, Pa. 
Sept. 8. Meadville, Pa. 
July 11, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
July 11, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
July 11, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
July 11, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 18, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 11, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 1 4 , Greensburg, Pa. 
Sept. 9, Meadville, Pa. 
July 11, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
July 18, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 18, Allegheny, Pa. 
Sept. 10, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 1 6, Greensburg, Pa. 
Sept. 8, Meadville, Pa. 
July 1 6, Greensburg, Pa. 
Sept. 9, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 16, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 18, Allegheny, Pa. 
July IS, Allegheny, Pa. 
Sept. 7, Waterford, Pa. 
Sept. 9, Waterford, Pa. 
Sept. 5, Pittsburgh, Pa. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 



405 



Name. 
Samuel S. Jack, 
Jackson Jones, 
John Jaco, 
John Isaman, 
Henry Klugh, 
Henry H. Keener, 
John C. F. Keys, 
David Lanker, 
Samuel Livengood, 
William Long, 
Jacob W. Leech, 
Benj. F. Meredith, 
William Mehaffey, 
George Meyers, 
Henry Marquet, 
George Morrison, 
John Marsh, 
Samuel Mulberger, 
John C. Moore, 
Joseph McMunn, 
J. D. Prosser, 
Abraham S. Riggle, 
John W. Kike, 
John Reynold, 
Isaac L. Rearick, 
Emery E. Stitt, 
George Shive, 
George C. Smith, 
Harmon Sneer, 
Jacob Sheckengost, 
George W. Shick, 
John C. Short, 
William Thomas, 
Fayette Thorn, 
David J. Thomas, 
Isaac Smith, 
William Stewart, 
Joseph Schrack, 
Alexander Walker, 
Henry B. White, 
Charles Warner, 
Martin L. Willets, 



Age. 


Occupation 


21, 


Shoemaker, 


33, 


Miner, 


30, 


Farmer, 


41, 


Farmer, 


22, 


Farmer, 


22, 


Farmer, 


23, 


Miner, 


18, 


Farmer, 


20, 


Farmer, 


22, 


Clerk, 


26, 


Farmer, 


23, 


Laborer, 


28, 


Farmer, 


28, 


Farmer, 


40, 


Farmer, 


19, 


Farmer, 


35, 


Farmer, 


29, 


Farmer, 


26, 


Cooper, 


22, 


Farmer, 


18, 


Clerk, 


26, 


Laborer, 


20, 


Farmer, 


33, 


Plasterer, 


28, 


Farmer, 


23, 


Carpenter, 


18, 


Boatman, 


18, 


Farmer, 


25, 


Laborer, 


22, 


Farmer, 


18, 


Shoemaker, 


26, 


Bricklayer, 


. 22, 


Farmer, 


26, 


Baker, 


31, 


Laborer, 


21, 


Shoemaker, 


24, 


Sadler, 


23, 


Farmer, 


33, 


Sailor, 


24, 


Carpenter, 


20, 


Farmer, 


22, 


Farmer, 



Date and Place Muster 
July 17, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 11, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
July 16,Greensburg, Pa. 
July 18, Alleg'heny, Pa. 
July 18, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 1 4, Greensburg, Pa. 
Sept. 8, Meadville, Pa. 
Sept. 9, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 1 6, Greensburg, Pa. 
July 1 4, Greensburg, Pa. 
July 1 6, Greensburg, Pa. 
July 11, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
July 11, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
July 11, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Sept. 4, Waterford, Pa. 
Sept. 7, Waterford, Pa. 
Sept. 7, Waterford, Pa. 
July 18, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 1 4 , Greensburg, Pa. 
July 11, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Sept. 4, Waterford, Pa. 
July 17, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 14, Greensburg, Pa. 
Sept. 8, Meadville, Pa. 
July 18, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 17, Allegheny, Pa. 
Sept. 5, Meadville, Pa. 
Sept. 7, Waterford, Pa. 
Sept. 7, Waterford, Pa. 
July 18, Allegheny, Pa. 
Sept. 9, Allegheny, Pa. 
July.l 3 , Greensburg, Pa. 
July 18, Allegheny, Pa. 
Sept. 7, Waterford, Pa. 
July 18, Allegheny, Pa. 
July 1 6, Greensburg, Pa. 
July 1 6, Greensburg, Pa. 
July 1 6, Greensburg, Pa. 
Sept. 4, Waterford, Pa. 
July 11, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Sept. 8, Meadville, Pa. 
July 13, Greensburg, Pa. 



406 



UNDER THE RED PATCH 



Squad of fifty men drafted and mustered into service in the Sixty- 
third Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, by Captain George Weaver, 
of Company C: 



Name. 
Derius Anthony, 
Andrew Alderman, 
John Anderson, 
James Buzzard, 
John Bauer, 
Thomas Bryant, 
John Bammer, 
John Burnworth, 
R. K. Burchfield, 
James P. Briscoe, 
F. C. Burket, 
Chas. L. Brooks, 
Richard Cooper, 
Martin Clark, 
Andrew Douglass, 
Wilford Dady, 
Findley Edwards, 
Archibald Gilchrist, 
Thomas Hollobough, 
Benjamin W. Hull, 
Thomas Johnson, 
David Kiddie, 
Elias Kunselman, 
John Kunselman, 
Warren Kniffer, 
Sylons Leasure, 
James Markal, 
N. H. McClelland, 
William Olinger, 
Phillip Reesman, 
Isaac Rittinger, 
John Rittinger, 
George H. Reedy, 
John Rickey, 
Charles Rogers, 
William C. Smith, 
William Snyder, 
John Smith, 
John Solday, 
H. Shreckenghost, 
J. Shreckenghost, 



A-ge. 


Occupation. 


Date am 


32, 


Miner, 


July 18, 


21, 


Farmer, 


Sept. 9, 


28, 


Laborer, 


July 11, 


29, 


Farmer, 


July 18, 


23, 


Laborer, 


July 11, 


21, 


Laborer, 


Sept. 9, 


19. 


Farmer, 


Sept. 9, 


24, 


Shoemaker, 


Julyl6,( 


33, 


Justice Peace, 


Sept. 8, 


18, 


Teamster, 


Sept. 9, 


25, 


Farmer, 


Sept. 9, 


18, 


Farmer, 


Sept. 9, 


26, 


Wagonmaker, 


July 11, 


22, 


Boatman, 


Sept. 9, 


29, 


Farmer, 


July 11, 


23, 


Cabinetmaker, 


, Sept. 8, 


23, 


Sailor, 


Sept. 9, 


26, 


Farmer, 


July 18, 


30, 


Laborer, 


July 18, 


23, 


Boatman, 


July 18, 


22, 


Bartender, 


Sept. 8, 


29, 


Miner, 


July 11, 


33, 


Farmer, 


July 18, 


35, 


Farmer, 


Sept. 18, 


22, 


Cooper, 


Sept. 9, 


30, 


Laborer, 


July 18, 


21, 


Farmer, 


July 18, 


21, 


Cordwainer, 


Sept. 9, 


22, 


Farmer, 


July 18, 


25, 


Farmer, 


July 18, 


23, 


Farmer, 


July 18, 


23, 


Farmer, 


July 18, 


21, 


Farmer, 


July 18, 


21, 


Farmer, 


July 18, 


26, 


Carpenter, 


Sept. 9, 


25, 


Farmer, 


Sept. 9, 


25, 


Farmer, 


July 18, 


28, 


Miner, 


July 11, 


25, 


Farmer, 


July 18, 


24, 


Farmer, 


July 18, 


24, 


Farmer, 


July 18, 



d Place Muster 

Allegheny, Pa. 

Meadville, Pa. 

Pittsburgh, Pa. 

Allegheny, Pa. 

Pittsburgh, Pa. 

Meadville, Pa. 

Meadville, Pa. 
Greensburg, Pa. 

Waterford, Pa. 

Waterford, Pa. 

Waterford, Pa. 

Waterford, Pa. 

Pittsburgh, Pa. 

Meadville, Pa. 

Pittsburgh, Pa. 

Waterford, Pa. 

Meadville, Pa. 

Allegheny, Pa. 

Allegheny, Pa. 

Allegheny, Pa. 

Waterford, Pa. 

Pittsburgh, Pa. 

Allegheny, Pa. 
, Allegheny, Pa. 

Meadville, Pa. 

Allegheny, Pa. 

Allegheny, Pa. 
Pittsburgh, Pa. 

Allegheny, Pa. 

Allegheny, Pa. 

Allegheny, Pa. 

Allegheny, Pa. 

Allegheny, Pa. 

Allegheny, Pa. 

Meadville, Pa. 

Meadville, Pa. 

Allegtieny, Pa. 

Pittsburgli.Pa. 

Allegheny, Pa. 

Allegheny, Pa. 

Allegheny, Pa. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMEXT 



40' 



Name. 

Silas Schall, 
Henry Sherry, 
Wm. W. Thompson, 
Charles Vanpelt, 
.lames Wilson, 
Alexander Walls, 
Adam Wensel, 
Henry Yount, 
Jacob Yount, 



kge. 


Occupation. 


Date 


20, 


Farmer, 


July 


32, 


Carpenter, 


July 


22, 


Farmer, 


July 


19, 


Carpenter, 


Sept. 


27, 


Farmer, 


July 


20, 


Farmer, 


July 


31, 


Farmer, 


July 


31, 


Farmer, 


July 


2S, 


Carpenter, 


July 



and Place Muster 
18, Allegheny, Pa. 
18, Alleg-heny, Pa. 
18, Allegheny, Pa. 
9, IMeadville, Pa. 
11, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
1 8, Allegheny, Pa. 
18, Allegheny, Pa. 
18, Allegheny, Pa. 
18, Allegheny, Pa. 



/ 



TITLES OF COMPANIES PREVIOUS TO BEING 

MUSTERED INTO THE SIXTY-THIRD 

REGIMENT. 



Company A — "Kelly Guards." 

Captain — J. M. C. Berringer. 
First Lieutenant — William Smith. 
Second Lieutenant — Wm. N. Haymaker. 
First Sergeant — Wm. P. Hunker. 

Company B — No title. 

Captain — William Kirkwood. 
Fii-st Lieutenant — T. L. Maynard. 
Second Lieutenant — Samuel Taylor. 
First Sergeant — Henry Hurst. 

Company C — "Hanna's Light Guards." 
Captain — Jason R. Hanna. 
First Lieutenant — Jos. A. Schonlaw. 
Second Lieutenant — C. W. Taylor. 
First Sergeant — Henry Hurst. 

Company D — "Pittsburgh Fire Zouaves." 
Captain — Henry O. Ormsby. 
First Lieutenant — B. F. Dunham. 
Second Lieutenant — J. C. McAnninch. 
First Sergeant — J. Henry Miller. 

Company E — "Etna Infantry." 

Captain — John A. Danks. 
First Lieutenant — John McClelland. 
Second Lieutenant — Wm. J. McElroy. 
First Sergeant — W. J. Marks. 

Company F — No title. 

Company G — ^"Morgan Guards." 

Captain — Chas. W. McHenry. 
First Lieutenant — S. H. Cochran. 
Second Lieutenant — Hugh P. Fulton. 
First Sergeant — James Whelan. 

Company H — ^"McCullough Guards." 

Captain — Chas. B. McCullough. 
First Lieutenant — Hugh P. Fulton. 
Second Lieutenant — Wm. H. Jeffries. 
First Sergeant — James Whelan. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 



409 



Company I — "McKeesport Rifle Grays." 
Captain — -John F. Ryan. 
First Lieutenant — George W. Gray. 
Second Lieutenant — J. F. McMullen. 
Orderlj' — John H. Cooper. 



Company K — "Hays Guards." 

Captain — Charles W. Chapman. 
First Lieutenant — W. Hays Brown. 
Second Lieutenant — Theodore Bagley. 
First Sergeant — R. G. Mowry. 



INTERMENTS IN NATIONAL CEMETERIES. 



Partial list of interments of members of the Sixty-tliird Regiment, 
in National cemeteries and Military Home cemeteries: 

Name. 
Sarver, Daniel, 
Davis, David A., 
Martin, George W., 

Keenan, William, 
McClarey, A. P., 
Stoup, Corp. David, 
McCullough, G. W. 
Strachan,D. A., Lieut 
Blair, Wm. Corp., 
Stone, John, Corp., 
Eaton, Morgan, 
Elder, Sugart J., 
Friels, James, 
Hull, Abner B., 
Jaco, John, 
Mulberger, Samuel, 
Orbin, Joseph, 
Shall, Simon, 
Cameron, Alexander, 
Farrell, Thomas, 

Frailey, John A., 
Kincaid, James M., 

Adams, P. J., 
Claypool, Levi, 
Hallfinger, John, 
Marsh, John, 
Kelly, Edward, 
Eberman, H. M., 
Waddel, A. F., 
Black, Robert, 
Mitchell, H., 
Beatty, David W., 



Company. 


No. 


Grave 


c, 


Leavenworth, Kan., 




K, 


Milwaukee, Wis., 




G, 


Ft. Harrison, Varina Grove, 






Virginia, 


105 


H, 


Hampton, Va., 


8679 


B, 


Gettysburg, Pa., 




E, 


Gettysburg, Pa., 




Major, 


Arlington, Va., 


5225 


., B, 


Arlington, Va.. 


5207 


F, 


Arlington, Va., 


769 


c. 


Arlington, Va., 


10407 


K, 


Arlington, Va., 


11999 


F, 


Arlington, Va., 


600 


H, 


Arlington, Va., 


6937 


B, 


Arlington, Va., 


10747 


H, 


Arlington, Va., 


6138 


G, 


Arlington, Va., 


5350 


F, 


Arlington, Va., 


5603 


G, 


Arlington, Va., 


7346 


H, 


San Bardino, Cal., 




H, 


Santa Monica, Cal., Section 4; 
Row F. 




G, 


Santa Monica, Cal., 


4 


E, 


Santa Monica. Cal., Sec. 12 






Row H, 


21 


H, 


Culpepper, Va., 


99 


B, 


Culpepper, Va., 


351 


P, 


Culpepper, Va., 


350 


D, 


Poplar Grove, Va., 


678 


K, 


Yorktown, Va., 


352 


K, 


Yorktown, Va., 


228 


K, 


Yorktown, Va., 


1210 


E, 


Yorktown, Va., 


1417 


K, 


Yorktown, Va., 


1133 


K, 


Washington, D. C, 


3344 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 



41 1 



Name. 
Bliss, Wm., Corp., 
Brawdy, William, 
Bunce, Joseph. S.. 
Eshelmau, Finady, 
Gould, Wilson, 
Graham, Prank L., 
Gray, John C, 
Hill, John, 
Holobaugh, Thomas, 
Keys, J. C. F., 
McCloskey, Francis, 
Stegmeyer, Lewis, 
McLaughlin, M. J., 
Williams, Monroe, 
Murray, Robert, 
Blystone, W., 
Shiery, David, 
Buzzard, J., 
Connor, Patrick, 
Cumming, Reynolds, 
Deal, F., 

Doran, McEwan, 
Haltzhouse, C, 
Keenan, Henry H., 
Kunselman, John, 
Painter, Samuel, 
Rhyme, George, 
Smallman, C, 



Company. 




No. Grave 


C, 


Washington, D. C, 


1 9 1 a 


D, 


Washington, D. C, 


1520 


K, 


Washington, D. C, 


1729 


F, 


Washington, D. C, 


4303 


I, 


Washington, D. C, 


2377 


C, 


Washington, D. C, 


4331 


D, 


Washington, D. C, 


4355 


H, 


Washington, D. C, 


3695 


K, 


Washington, D. C, 


4262 


c. 


Washington, D. C, 


5263 


F, 


Washington, D. C, 


2965 




Washington, D. C, 


880 


F, 


Glendale, Va., 




A. 


Glendale, Va., 




A, 


City Point, Va. 


2918 


G, 


City Point, Va., 


985 


G, 


Annapolis, Md., 


17 


B, 


Annapolis, Md., 


276 


H, 


Annapolis, Md., 


1607 


K, 


Andereonville, Ga., 


9823 


A, 


Andersonville, Ga., 


6017 


D, 


Andersonville, Ga., 


1020 


A, 


Andersonville, Ga., 


9123 


E, 


Andersonville, Ga., 


3678 


E, 


Andersonville, Ga., 


2G8 


A, 


Andersonville, Ga., 


3445 


I, 


Andersonville, Ga., 


1599 


B, 


Andersonville, Ga., 


10720 



PART III. 



LETTERS FROM THE FRONT — BIOGRAPHIES — THE TWELFTH 

REGIMENT REGIMENTAL REUNIONS —DEDICATION OF 

GETTYSBURG MONUMENT, AND MONUMENTS TO 

GENERAL HAYS — EXPLOSIVE BULLETS. 

— MUSIC, "BULLY FOR YOU," AND 

"BULLY OLD SIXTY-THIRD." 



414 UNDER THE RED PATCH 



PLEDGE TO THE DEAD. 

'From the lily of love that uncloses 

In the glow of a festival kiss, 
On the wind that is laden with roses 

And shrill with the bugles of bliss, 
Let it float o'er the mystical ocean 

That breaks on the kingdom of night — 
Our oath of eternal devotion , 

To the heroes who died for the right! 

They loved, as we loved, yet they parted 

From all that man's spirit can prize; 
Left woman and child broken-hearted. 

Staring up to the pitiless skies; 
Left the tumult of youth, the sweet guerdon 

Hope promised to conquer from Fate — 
Gave all for the agonized burden 

Of death for the Flag and the State! 

In that grim and relentless upheaval 

Which blesses a world through a curse. 
Still bringing the good out of evil — 

The garland of peace on the hearse! — 
They were shattered, consumed and forsaken. 

Like the shadows that fly from the dawn; 
We may never know why they were taken. 

But we always shall feel they are gone. 

Oh, grander in doom's stricken glory 

Than the greatest that linger behind; 
They shall live in perpetual story. 

Who saved the last hope of mankind! 
For their cause was the cause of the races 

That languished in slavery's night, 
And the death that was pale on their faces 

Has filled the whole world with its light!" 

— Will Winter. 



LETTERS FROM THE FRONT. 



COLONEL HAYS TO HIS WIFE OR FAMILY. 

Camp Hays, September 18, 1861. 
Dear Wife: 

I am safe and sound, and if you had witnessed my reception you 
would be disposed to be jealous. This family of nine hundred chil- 
dren were frantic, and if ever a poor parent was hugged to death, 
I came near suffering that fate. 

I am much pleased with my regiment, as I ought to be, for it 
pleases everybody else. 

We are still 'engaged arming and equi])ping, which is tedious 
work. 



Camp Hays, near Washington, 

September 26, 1861. 

I received yours by Robinson this morning, and I assure you it 
gave me great satisfaction, very great. It afforded relief from the 
incessant annoyance of my family of one thousand and forty-six 
children. Sometimes I think each one of them regards me as 
appointed for his own especial convenience, .and I lose my constitu- 
tional equanimity of temj)er, but the poor fellows take my ebullitions 
so kindly that I feel sorry that I am obliged to scold. 

I ought to be, as I am, very proud of my regiment. Already there 
is not in the service, a more subordinate, or better disciplined one. 
My word appears to be gospel to them, from the major down to 
the nigger cook. My intercourse with the various departments has 
been exceedingly pleasant. 1 find everywhere old friends, who wel- 
come me back to my old trade. We — I mean the Sixty-third — are 
spoken of now throughout Washington as "the" regiment, and I am 
only afraid that too much will be expected from us. I must say 
that so far, my highest expectations have been realized. Though 
sadly deficient in drill, i)erfect order reigns everywhere. It is now 
after "taps," 10 o'clock, and I have just returned from an observa- 
tion. Everything is as quiet and orderly as if the encampment was 
of veteran regulars. I rarely hear through the day a profane or 
improper word, and our guard tents have been almost wanting of 
occupants. Our equipment is progressing rapidly. The men are well 
fed, and a jollier crowd 1 never saw. This has been the President's 
fasting and prayer day. The only duty required of the men was 
to brush up, and most of them took advantage of the permission 
to do washing and ironing, at a small stream which runs about half 
a mile from the camp. 

The camp is within view of the Capitol, and lialf a mile distant. 
* * * * 

We have already instituted a full-grown church, and Dr. Marks 
is also a trump. He has procured a very large tent, and services 



41 G UNDER THE RED PATCH 

are regular, whenever exemption from military duty permits the 
men to attend. Brother Danks leads off in evening prayer meet- 
ings. 

The regiment is now entirely full, with a fine band of field music. 
I would like to have the children hear the fourteen drums and ten 
fifes roll of reveille. I have also nearly a full regimental band. 

The country within sight is dotted white with the encampments 
of many regiments, and the roads are thronged with teams loaded 
with the material of war. 

Occasionally we see the big balloon going up on its message of 
reconnoisance, and hourly hear the artillery of the forts beyoad the 
river practicing for the coming ball. The Sixty-third will be there, 
and if Providence favors, it will tell a tale in history, or I am 
deceived. 

Our guns are intended for close work, and we will be able to 
furnish our enemies with a treat of ball and buckshot, with a dessert 
of cold steel, for of such are the Sixty-third "Mud Sills." 



Camp Shields, October 3, 1861. 

The Sixty-third is now encamped on the "Sacred Soil of Vir- 
ginia," about four miles from the Capitol. The ancient name of the 
location I find is Belleview, but we have rechristened it Shields. 
It is situated upon a high ridge overlooking the original slave mart 
of the Southern Confederacy (before it was born.) 

Speaking of Shields, "Leet," (his horse, a gift from the Shields 
family of Sewickley), is acknowledged to be the finest horse in the 
service. The men of the regiment appear to be more proud of him 
than I am. 

Altogether we have the best regiment in the sei'vice, and our 
friends need not fear of competition, although it may be a sorry day 
at home, the day we meet our enemy. I could not possibly ask more 
than I have realized from my regiment already, although they are 
far from perfect, but give evidence of a will and disposition to b^ 
whatever I wish. 

No regiment has a better reputation than the Sixty-third, and, 
so far as I have been able to ascertain, the confidence between com- 
mander and command is mutual. 



Camp Shields, October 8, 1861. 

Reveille has finished, and the coffee mills indicate the progress of 
breakfast. It rained heavily all night, and my boys, in many cases, 
present the appearance of wet rats, but the morning is fine. It is 
election day, and the paymaster is here, so that the ills of last night 
are about forgotten, for cheer and song mingle with the rattle of 
camp kettles and mess pans. 

I informed you that we were to enter Pleintzelman's Division. It 
is not settled who will be our brigadier, but since the boys heard 
that Heintzelman was to command us, they expect work. I heard 
one man say that he had made his will before he enlisted with Alex. 
Hays and was now glad of it. 



Camp Johnston, December 2 5, 1861. 
Yesterday morning (Merry Xmas. ) I was notified that the Sixty- 
third must march at 4 o'clock in the morning to repel a threatened 



STORV: OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 417 

advance of the rebels. I was not well when we started, and it turned 
out, a day of sad mishaps. In the first place I was badly swamped 
in one of the mire pits of Virginia, and when we reached our outer 
pickets in an attempt to pass along the regiment, Dan slipped and 
fell from a frozen bank and we got a pretty severe fall. Dan was 
not hurt, but my right leg was under him and I was severely bruised. 
I was well enough tonight to go around among the men and talk 
cross, but their sympathy when we fell, has more than repaid all my 
sufferings. 



Camp Johnston, Va., January 19, 1862. 

Recently on i)icquet I took McHenry and one hundred men to 
support my advance scouts of another hundred, under Captain Kirk- 
wood. While awaiting and listening for a signal from our advanced 
friends, although we were exposed to a most raw and cutting wind, 
I never listened with more pleasure to a professional songster than 
I did to the sweet notes of McHenry, as he hummed the words of 
"Laurena," which in our regiment has become a "household word." 

I wrote you on my return from picquet that we were safe, except- 
ing Corporal John Thomas, who was wounded slightly by accident. 
It may be some satisfaction to his friends to hear from me that 
Corporal John Thomas is one of our color guard, and that Corporal 
John Thomas is a "'perfect trump" of a soldier. 



February 5, 1862. 

Our troops are suffering from "hope deferred," and an advance 
will be hailed with joy. For my regiment I can speak with con- 
fidence; I believe I can rely on them in every emergency. I have 
tried them in march and on bivouac, and given them the smell of 
"battle afar off," which they snuffed as eageVly as Job's war horse. 
Cur Austrian rifles have been tested, and throw a ball with terrible 
force to long distances, but the men have been taught and will rely 
mainly u])on the four-ribbed bayonets, which are a splendid appli- 
ance for drilling holes into rebel carcasses. 

We have severe frosts at night, and the ground is covered with 
snow to the deiith of several inches. Today the sun is shining 
brightly and may give us mud in exchange for our snow. I hear no 
complaints among the men of suffering or want. All are in good 
health and comfortably housed. If we have a want it is for woolen 
mittens with no fingers. 



February 2 7, 1862. 
Last night an order was received "To hold the troops ready to 
march at a moment's warning, with two day's provisions (cooked) 
in the haversacks of the men." The announcement of the order was 
received by the Sixty-third with cheer after cheer, a prospect of 
change from the dull monotonous life they have led in camp since 
last September. 

The trooi)s march with the smallest possible amount of baggage, 
only four wagons being allowed to my regiment, which now numbers 
one thousand and twenty-four. 



Camp Johnston, March 10, 1S62. 
I know vou have been anxiously expecting to hear from me since 
the disaster (death of Captain Chapman and Quartermaster Lysle) 



418 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

which befel my regiment. I might have essayed flying with as 
much success as to attempt to write, in the situation in which I 
have been placed for the last five days. You have heard of a tiger 
robbed of its whelps, and you can imagine what species of tiger I 
represent. I have not scolded anyone — the fault is too egregious 
to be within my jurisdiction, and I am patiently awaiting the action 
of higher authority. 

Thirty or forty rebels are permitted to pass our men in ambush, 
to conceal themselves in ambush against us, and three of us forfeit 
life. I can hear the expressed wish that "the old man" had been 
there, but there is no evil from which some good cannot be extracted. 
The regiment is determined upon vengeance, and confidence is 
stronger than ever that the colonel will be on hand next time. 

The bodies were forwarded on the 7th to Pittsburgh. Before 
leaving, all were borne to the church tent, and I never knew the 
Doctor (Marks) more eloquent. "There was no dearth of woman's 
tears," for dear little Mrs. Jameson was present, and cried her eyes 
out. 

Last evening at parade, promotions were made to fill vacancies. 
First Lieutenant McClellan, of Company E, to be captain of Com- 
pany K, "for bravery and self-possession on the morning of March 
5th, when a detachment of the Sixty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers 
was waylaid by the rebels," vice-Captain Chapman killed in action. 

Second Lieutenant Bagley, "for uniform good conduct as an officer 
and a soldier," to be first lieutenant of Company K. First Sergeant 
Mowry, "for his bravery and self-possession on the morning of 
March 5th, when a detachment of the Sixty-third was waylaid by 
the rebels," to be second lieutenant Company K. 

I have several other promotions to make, but I thought the above 
was sufljcient for one occasion. I think Sergeant Gross will be made 
a lieutenant. Second Lieutenant Haymaker to be quartermaster, vice 
Lysle, killed in action. 



March 16, 1862. 
Again has notice come that the Sixty-third will be required to 

march tomorrow morning with six day's provisions to — ; 

nobody knows where. This evening at parade, as I looked along 
the line of my boys, I felt very proud, as I have never seen them 
look so well. This was our inspection day, and I found the guns 
in most excellent condition, although I was obliged to preach a good 
deal on the subject of packing knapsacks. 

March 18, 1862. 
Yesterday the Sixty-third embarked on board the "North America" 
and "Champion" for some unknown destination. Colonel Morgan 
commands the "Champion." This morning I paid him a visit and 
found the boat so much overloaded that I ordered her back to the 
dock. I have never seen the Sitxy-third in such good condition. 
Their march through Alexandria has been characterized and com- 
mented upon as a regiment which was either Regulars or else the 
best volunteer regiment that had passed through the town. 



Union Camp, Yorktown, April 6, 1862. 
We arrived here yesterday and are now encamped about a mile 
and a half from Yorktown, and within a mile of the advanced bat- 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 419 

teries of the enemy. Yesterday one of our field batteries played ball 
with one of their's nearly all day, without any particularly marked 
results. Our position is concealed by a dense woods which pro- 
tects us from the enemy's fire. Today 1 witnessed one of their 
attempts. Our men are filled with curiosity which is very difficult 
to restrain. A group had gathered upon an eminence in full view 
of the enemy who, waiting until at least fifty were gathered 
together, let fly a rifle shell which passed directly through the 
crowd, killing one and wounding another. About noon we heard 
upon our left, heavy musketry, which probably came from General 
Sykes" Regulars, who had turned the seat of one of the enemy's 
field works. The skirmish was distinctly visible from our picket 
lines, and the enemy's consternation was very considerable. Our 
balloon has been floating in the sky all day. Numbers of gun boats 
are in the river, and within a few days Yorktown will be completely 
invested. Our heavy guns are arriving and the music in the grand 
dance may be opened in the morning. It is surprising how many 
works the enemy had erected between this point and the fortress, 
and then after all their labor, to retire and give us undisputed pos- 
session. 

Dismal discord just now reigns in camp, and is spreading over the 
plains for miles around. A young mule has awakened from his even- 
ing nap and expressed his disgust for the service by an unearthly 
bray, which is taken up and re-echoed by five thousand of his fellow 
beings, until one believes that all the asses in Christendom are here. 



Camp Winfield Scott, near Yorktown, Va,. 

April 23, 1862. 

Say that Captain McHenry will prove that he is the author of "All 
Quiet Along the Potomac Tonight." "Our own special artist" is 
now engaged in the illustration, which will soon be issued, under 
McHenry's name. See note on page 5 7. 



May 11, 1862. 

Knapsacks are slung, and we only await the order of "On to 
Richmond." The account of the battle near Williamsburg has been 
published and you know more of that affair than I do, for I know 
nothing except that the loss on both sides was fearful. The Sixty- 
third was not engaged, but it is admitted that a demonstration made 
by ours and two Maine regiments, and the Sixth Cavalry, upon the 
left wing of the enemy, decided the day, although we did not lose a 
man. 

I am backed by a thousand men who will not fail me in the hour 
of need. The colonel and regiments have the entire confidence of 
our generals, and stand A-1 in Kearney's estimation. 

The bugles are sounding the advance, and "Leet" and I must 
break for the head of the column, both in good spirits, and one very 
hopeful. 



Near Battlefield of Fair Oaks, 

June 9, 1862. 
I cannot write to you the details of the fight or the incidents of 
the past seven days. The Sixty-third lost 150 killed and wounded, 
and the One Hundred and Fifth about equal numbers. The two 



420 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

regiments are "Heroes of the day." Considering the numbers of 
each regiment that could be brought into action, the loss was terrible 
■ — about one in five. Supporting the troops of Casey's division, ours 
met the enemy flushed with success, but from the moment we met 
them the tide of battle turned, and we drove them like sheep. 
Western Pennsylvania has no competitors for the honors of "Fair 
Oaks," and the flags of others are lowered to ours as we pass. I feel 
thankful to a kind Providence for the preservation of my life thus 
far, and with a firm reliance still, I walk forward. I feel deeply for 
those who have been made to mourn, but proud that in no case has 
anyone to blush for their friends who belonged to the Sixty-third. 



Still in Fair Oaks Battlefield, 

June 14, 1862. 
You find the Sixty-third still upon our last battlefield. We won it 
fairly and it is ours, although it cost us dearly, and has left "many 
a sweet babe fatherless, and many a widow mourning." As your 
father appears concerned about the horses, I will repeat that "Dan" 
is seriously wounded, but will recover, although General Kearney 
gave an order for him to be shot. 



June 26, 1862. 
Day before yesterday I received order to hold "The iron-clad Sixty- 
third" ready to take the lead in an advance towards Richmond. 
At 8:30 we were deployed as skirmishers in the pine woods in front 
of our line of defense, supported by the Twentieth Indiana in the 
rear. Children never felt more glee at a dancing school than my 
gallant three hundred exhibited when they knew their mission. They 
appreciated the post of honor, and we always obtained it. Steady 
as veterans they moved forward, and when we had passed our own 
pickets about one hundred yards, we came across those of the enemy. 
Steadily and regularly we drove them before us for a mile and a 
quarter, until we were opposed by the Fourth Georgians. The 
Georgians were dressed in a fancy French zouave uniform, which 
caused our men to hesitate. It was reported to me, and I was asked, 
"What will we do?" I told them, "Give it to them anyhow; they 
have no business to be there." Then our boys pitched in again, and 
in fifteen minutes the Georgians were on the road to Richmond. The 
rout was complete. The quality, elegance and taste of all their 
equipments bore evidence that they were all scions of the first 
families among the Georgia chivalry. By an infernal blundering 
order from a stupid brigadier, we were still ordered forward until 
we passed all troops of ours, at least half a mile. W^e were at least 
half a mile nearer Richmond than any other regiment of our divis- 
ion, and so near large bodies of the rebels that we could distinctly 
hear every command of their officers. After an hour we were drawn 
back to the camp of the Georgians, which we held during the day 
and next night. On our right and left the battle raged furiously 
at intervals during the day. Sometimes the small arms battled 
incessantly for an hour at a time, while shells from our batteries 
flew over our heads bearing death and destruction to the enemy 
beyond. Their batteries in return, replied and shot and shell flew 
and burst around us in all directions. Taking the whole day 
through, we have reason to congratulate ourselves and thank a kind 
Providence. Our success was perfect, and drew from General Kearney 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 421 

the highest compliments before the regiment on the battle ground. 
Our small loss appears miraculous. Five killed and seventeen 
wounded. 



In Bivouac, July 4, 1862. 

I have concluded to terminate my celebration of "The Glorious 
Fourth" by writing through you to all my friends. What has pre- 
served my life and limbs throughout the events and transactions 
of the last month I know not, excepting your combined prayers at 
home. 

The glorious Sixty-third has a reputation unequalled by any regi- 
ment in the service; the best evidence of it is the acknowledgment 
of it all, without a show of envy, but never has it been better illus- 
trated that "The paths of Glory lead but to the grave." 

Imagine a quiet country house which a few hours before had been 
a peaceful home for happy children, made a "bone of contention" 
by two parties of infuriated men. The last I saw of that house, and 
round about it, in its outhouses, and in the green-swarded enclosure 
around it, it was piled with dead, dying and wounded, "A field of 
the dead rushes red on my sight." 

For seven days it has been one continued battle, awfully severe 
to us, but doubly so to the enemy. The Sixty-third has covered itself 
with glory, but most dearly bought. We have lost in killed and 
wounded, every third man. For two days in succession we have 
supported regular batteries of artillery, and we are on the tongues 
of all men, "There goes the Fighting Sixty-third." The artillery 
has great faith in the Sixty-third. 

I am writing this upon a cracker box, by candle light. My men 
are round and about me; everyone is sound asleep. For the last two 
days we have rested and fed, and we need it much, as little of "bed 
or board" had been known to anyone for a week before. There they 
lie, yet one single syllable from me, "Up!" the Sixty-third will in 
a moment start, everyone to his feet, and in less time than I write, 
the Sixty-third would be ready for action. God bless them, they 
are a gallant set of boys, and it pains me to scold them, as I did 
this evening for eating too much, and being selfish. 



Camp Whitesell, 2:30 a. m., July 7, 1862. 
Our division (Kearney's) had retired from before Richmond, and 
upon the 30th day of June lay taking rest at Nelson's Farm. Early 
in the day I received an order to support Thompson's Battery of 
Artillery. Our section (two pieces) was advanced beyond the gen- 
eral lines, and the Sixty-third silently took position near, in a small 
belt of young pines, to await coming events. Occasional shots were 
fired from the guns into the distant woods as often as some ventur- 
ous scout of the enemy would appear upon the outskirts. About 2 
p. m. the report of a rifled gun and the rushing of a round shot 
directed at our artillery, announced that Jeff Davis, with a large 
company of friends, had arrived from Richmond, and were inquiring 
about our whereabouts. The advanced section was withdrawn, and 
the Sixty-third flanked off and took a position in the rear of the now 
combined battery. Soon the roar and rattle on all sides announced 
one of the fiercest conflicts that ever raged between contending 
parties of men. Thompson opened upon the enemy at a distance 
and played away for an hour, while the Sixty-third lay upon its 
arms, inactive spectators of the fight, although fully warned of their 



422 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

interest in the game going on, by the bursting around, over and 
among tliem, of every infernal missile invented by man. 

Through the smoke, which was now rolling in cloudy wreaths 
from our guns, a mounted officer approached the Sixty-third with a 
waving sword and call to "Forward!" Believing that the time had 
come, I called the Sixty-third "Up and at them!" No order was ever 
better or more promptly obeyed by veterans. The low fence was 
cleared at a bound, and with caution, "Guide center, double-quick!" 
in less time than I write it, the bayonets of the Sixty-third were 
leveled in front of the guns. The smoke cleared away and I dis- 
covered a false alarm, and again retired to the fence. In half an 
hour afterward, however, Thompson announced danger to his guns, 
and at once the regiment sprang forward, passed the guns, lay down 
upon the ground fifty feet in front, and opened a perfect storm of 
rifles. The battery still played away overhead, and the enemy, 
secreted in the woods a hundred yards in advance and in and around 
a dwelling and outhouses half that distance, in advance. There 
we held them for more than an hour, until Thompson announced 
that his ammunition was exhausted and he must withdraw his bat- 
tery. Again it was, "Up, Sixty-third, give them cold steel, charge 
bayonets, forward, double-quick!" In a flash, yelling like incarnate 
fiends, we were upon them, muzzle to muzzle. It was fiercely con- 
tested, through the palings and around Nelson's Farm. Such an 
onset could not last long, and towards dark we returned, having 
silenced the last shot. 

From McClellan to the drummer boy, it is admitted to be the 
most brilliant thing in the war. Kearney is somewhat hyperbolical 
in his expressions, but says it was magnificent, glorious, and the only 
thing he ever saw that was like the pictures in the newspapers. He 
declares it was all there; the hopeless artillery, the man on horse- 
back, and the fierce looking devils bearing forward on their bayonets, 
as though they were endeavoring to break the stock of each gun. 
General Berry yesterday said in my hearing, that others might boast 
but that theirs was no similar case, when a regiment had made such 
a charge and for so long a time kept up such an unremitting murder- 
ous fire upon an enemy. 



Brown's Hotel, Washington, D. C, 

September 2, 1862. 

After leaving home and as much search as Japhet had after a 
father, I found the Sixty-third Regiment on the 2 5th of August, at 
Warrenton Junction of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, in the 
rear of the army of Virginia, there cannonading with the enemy 
on the Rappahannock, a few miles in advance. 

I found the regiment much in need of my "moral suasion," 
although in other respects, in excellent health and spirits. They had 
just returned from a long and fatiguing reconnoisance. The vocifer- 
ous cheers, as regiment after regiment marched past me, was evi- 
dence that my return was welcome. 

The exemplary specimens of refractory subjects put through 
"rough shod," brought the Sixty-third all right again. "The ass 
knoweth his owner, the ox his master's crib." 

The next evening I rode forward about five miles to see General 
Kearney. I found him in one of his crabbedest moods, much exer- 
cised. His servants had deserted, and all his valuable baggage left 
back at Alexandria. His reception of me was, however, extremely 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 423 

cordial, with an invitation to take supper, which I found consisted 
of coffee made and served in a blackened tin cup, with hard bread 
to match, while his only servitor was, as the general expressed it, 

"a d miscellaneous, migratory contraband, who had fallen in the- 

way, but in whom he had no confidence." 

I returned late to camp, trusting to noble "Dan" (his horse) to 
find the way. Early next morning we received orders to hold the 
Sixty-third Regiment ready to march. The enemy had pierced our 
lines and were actually depredating our rear. 

With light hearts and light feet, we tripped back to within four 
miles of Manassas Junction, synonymous with "Bull Run," memor- 
able for our eternal disgrace without cause except total incapacity 
and ignorance of high officials, if not a taint of treason. 

Here we were opposed by the enemy with artillery, and under- 
went some shelling by which the Sixty-third lost three men, one 
mortally and two severely wounded. 

Approaching to the front in support of a battery, a rocket or 
some other infernal missile burst just in front of my horse, Dan's 
breast. For an instant I thought he was gone, but he bounded 
across it like a deer, and the fragments went whirling to the rear, 
entering the horse of our new surgeon across the crupper, inflicting 
a bad wound. Some wicked fighting was done upon our right and 
the enemy was repulsed. 

We rested upon the field, but not until my regiment had occupied 
four different positions as outposts, but we were rewarded at last 
about 11 o'clock by a good position, and unmolested, "slept the sleep 
of innocence and peace," known only to the profession. 

Next morning, bright and early, the "field and staff" breakfasted 
on good strong coffee, soft bread, and spring ctiickens, and again took 
up the onward march. 

After a march of four miles we reached Manassas Junction and 
viewed the destruction made by the enemy on the preceding day and 
night. More than a mile in length, along the railroad the ground was 
strewn with ruins of locomotives, cars and army stores — such devas- 
tation I never witnessed. Onward we moved toward Centerville, 
feeling for the enemy at all points. Late at night we encamped 
among the old entrenchments of the rebels, and early next morning 
(2 9th) moved rapidly after them. In an hour's march we found 
the enemy awaiting us, and then began the stirring events which 
have thrilled the hearts of the whole North. 

I cannot detail all of what I saw and part of what I was. About 
4 o'clock p. m., after taking part in the earlier day's doings, I was 
requested by General Kearney to give the enemy a taste of the 
Sixty-third, several of our regiments having been repulsed. I gave 
the order to forward with trailed arms, and the boys answered with 
a deafening cheer! We drove them before us like sheep until they 
took shelter behind the railroad. We received here the most terrible 
fire I have ever experienced, to which the Sixty-third replied as 
hotly for some time. We were unsupported, but my regiment never 
wavered. 

I have telegraphed you of my situation. A large ball struck the 
main bone between the ankle and knee, not breaking, but perhaps 
splintering it, glancing off and breaking the smaller bones. The 
entrance hole is as large as a half dollar. I assure you I have a sore 
shin, but the quarter of an inch variation would have cost me my 
leg. 



424 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

Sitting in my little room on the fourth story, taking my tea and 
toast, the little tea pot and single cup recalled my old favorite, "The 
Pensioner" — 

"In his narrow cell at Chelsea, 
Sits a pensioner, old and gray." 

And I wondered if my own lot might not be the same, but as I 
write and turn to look across the Potomac to the blue hills where 
tonight or tomorrow may be fought the bloodiest battle on record, 
and be the triumph or disgrace of the North forevermore, I regret 
that I will not be among my old companions to cheer them on, and 
again take my chances with them. If it had been permitted, I would 
have preferred to defer my present disability. 

I have the loss as nearly as possible by telegraph, of the killed and 
wounded of the Sixty-third — one hundred and fifty — it is terrible. 

My wound is painful and I must lie down to rest, besides if I 
write more this will not go by mail. 

Major Kirkwood was twice wounded — not dangerously, I hope. 
Both my horses were shot. 



Colonel Hays was promoted to Brigadier General, September 29, 1862, and 
assigned to the command of the Third Division, Second Army Corps. 



Centerville, Va., May 18, 1863. 
The glorious old Sixty-third has again met the enemy, and as usual 
suffered terribly. We hear nothing except from the newspapers, but 
we surmise that the list of our friends is abbreviated. If I am not 
permitted to live to write the history of the Sixty-third, it will be 
my last request of some friend competent to do the case justice, to 
write its history, and settle the question so long unanswered, "Can 
Volunteers Fight?" 



On Battlefield, near Gettysburg, Pa., 

July 4, 1863. 

Yesterday was a warm one for us. The fight of my division was 
a perfect success. Corts, Shields and myself are untouched. Dan 
(his horse) was killed, and Leet severely wounded. Corts and 
Shields each lost a horse. We are all sanguine of ridding our soil 
of the invaders. 



Taneytown, Md., July 7, 1863. 

I have written several times since the eventful 3rd, to assure you 
that all was well with us — I mean Corts, Shields and myself. Our 
fight with the rebels on the 3rd was the most terrific. I commanded 
the Third Division of the Second Army Corps. Opposing me were 
A. P. Hill, and George E. Pickett, besides several others of my old 
acquaintances. 

They thought they were attacking raw militia. After cannonad- 
ing us for an hour they advanced across the plain, and were met 
from behind our stone wall by a volley which swept them like a 
tornado. It will not be credited, but we, (I mean the Third Divis- 
ion), took double our own number of prisoners, killed twice our 
own number and took nearly three thousand stand of arms. It is 
called the decisive battle of Gettysburg. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-TPIIRD REGIMENT 42 5 

I am untouched, as are also Corts and Shields, which is miraculous, 
although we lost our horses. Dave Shields had the shoulder of his 
coat blown off by a shell. Dan was killed by a cannon ball through 
the heart, just after I had exchanged him for Leet. Leet is shot 
severely in the breast — three balls — one has been extracted and will 
be sent to Leet Shields. Out of twenty mounted orderlies I have but 
five or six left. Of our acquaintances I have lost all my colonels. 
Lieutenant colonels command brigades, and lieutenants command 
regiments. 

The battle cannot be described except as the most terrible fought 
between men. 

My division has taken twenty banners or battle flags — more than 
all the balance of the army, and the Third division is at a high 
premium. 

We may meet the enemy again, but they are totally disorganized. 



Near "Jones Cross Roads," Va., 

July 13, 1863. 

"The Cross Roads" are six miles, and equidistant from Hagers- 
town, Williamsport and Boonsborough. 

My division is formed along the heights near the Hagerstown road. 
It forms one of the links of the anaconda, which holds Lee's army 
in its coils. 

When I took command of it only two weeks ago it was considered 
large, since then, however, it has become more respectable, although 
its numbers have diminished. In the Battle of Gettysburg I lost one 
thousand two hundred and sixty-two men. We, however, can count 
five of the enemy to one of ours. The killed of the enemy alone, 
outnumber my whole division two to one. The arms we captured 
will give us three guns to each man. Our prisoners also outnumbered 
us two to one. I have sent forward to headquarters seventeen (17) 
of the enemy's standards, and know of at least five others which 
were surreptitiously disposed of. Such a capture of flags were never 
known before. 

Until after the battle there was but one Hays in command, so there 
be no doubt of his identity. I claim all due to the name, and can 
prove it by evidence of an army corps. 

The Second Corps justly claim the honor of the repulse of the 
enemy, and it is conceded that the Third division, (Hays), Second 
Army Corps, fought the decisive action. Killed, wounded, prisoners 
and banners speak convincingly of our claims. I have written of 
the loss of my horses. Noble old Dan died a soldier's death. A 
solid shot passed through his heart, just after I had dismounted 
from him, and he died without a struggle. He lies in an honored 
grave dug by Henry and the other servants. Leet was soon after- 
wards shot in the breast with three balls, and is totally disabled. 
He is now in hospital in Gettysburg, under care of Dr. Weaver. 
My third horse was one of "Uncle Sam's," and of little account. 
Corts' horse, as well as Shields', Avere killed. I had about fifteen 
mounted orderlies when the battle began. At the end only two. 
One of them lost his horse, and the other, my standard bearer, had 
his flag staff cut in two. The shoulder of Shields' coat was blown 
away. Corts had his knuckles skinned. I escaped totally unscathed, 
although all expected momentarily to see me go under. Once in the 
furor my pickets, (The Garibaldi Guards), who were posted near a 



42 6 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

barn half a mile from my front, were repulsed by the rebel sharp- 
shooters, and retreated in disorder. 

Dan was then living, and on him I dashed over the plain, fol- 
lowed by my standard bearer (who is a reckless, devil-may-care 
Irishman). We rallied the runaways, put them in position again, 
retaking the barn. This was in full view of both lines, and fair 
range of the enemy's batteries. Our men held their breaths in sus- 
pense, and I have since been told by several generals that they 
expected to see me blown up each moment. The enemy appeared to 
have been surprised, for not a gun of theirs opened, until my mis- 
sion was fulfilled, and then I had nearly reached our lines, when 
the rebel batteries opened upon me and stormed shot and shell 
around. Just as I entered our lines Colonel Dick Coulter came to 
congratulate me, when a shell struck a tree between us, glanced 
off, and killed several of our men who had been drawn from behind 
the defenses from curiosity. 

My defenses were stone walls, and since Jackson is dead, I think 
I have a just claim to his title. Already there is shown a disposi- 
tion to rob me of my rights, but it can't be done. You have heard 
that all the colonels of my old brigade were lost — two killed, and 
two severely wounded. "Harper's Ferry boys" have wiped out 
Harper's Ferry. 

We are watching intently for our prey, though the haul will not 
be of "sucking doves." Sykes is on my right, and Webb's Division 
on my left. Last night 1 had two points fortified which will give us 
a cross-fire on any advance. We are very sanguine, but cautious. 
Yesterday it rained torrents, and today gives promise of more, which 
will keep up the Potomac. 

You will understand that this is to be a strictly private letter, 
not to be bounded literally. Tell Shields' and Corts' friends that 
none stand higher in the army. 



Warrenton Junction, Va., 

July 27, 1863. 

You have heard so much of Gettysburg, that, as myself, you desire 
to hear no more. I was sorely pressed for aides, although the two 
I had (Corts and Shields) bore themselves most gallantly, perform- 
ing the work of ten. Only that Providence protected us I cannot 
account for our escape. Women may lecture on the "Horrors of 
War," but such a scene of carnage I never imagined. Carnage him- 
self, (if an artist), could not paint the picture. Dead horses, shat- 
tered carriages, dead and dying men, in all the last agonies of death, 
for two full hours, would have paralyzed anyone not trained to the 
"butcher trade." I was fighting for my native State, and before I 
went in, thought of those at home I so dearly loved. If Gettysburg 
was lost all was lost for them, and I only interposed a life, that 
would be otherwise" worthless. What if we suffered? The poor 
rebels suffered ten-fold. 

The night following the battle of the 3rd I rode out and over the 
battlefield at 2 o'clock a. m. I could scarcely find passage for my 
horse for the dead and wounded. In one road it was impossible, 
until I had them removed. The shrieks of anguish and prayers for 
relief, were heart-rending. I only feel that this is a trial, not a judg- 
ment upon our nation, and that we will come out of it as "refined 
gold," and that my children will be enabled to sing "Columbia, 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 42 7 

Columbia, to Glory Arise, the Queen of the World, and the Child 
of the Skies." 

Your united prayers have been answered, and with them I will 
live to see my country triumphant over all disaster, and able to com- 
pete with any foreign enemy. 



Near Stevensburg, Va., 

March 25, 1864. 

An attempt is being made to re-organize the army, and so far it 
has been worse than a farce. As I anticipated, and intimated in a 
former letter, absent officers, of higher rank than myself, have been 
ordered to the army. 

The Third Corps has been broken up, but to complete the sacrifice, 
the Third Division, Second Corps, is called upon to disband. The 
noble old organization still survives, and I am still its commander, 
but in a few days I fear it will be "like the baseless fabric of a 
vision." 

There has been considerable excitement on the subject. Many of 
the officers of the old division assembled at headquarters to await 
my return from Hancock. When I announced the dissolution of "our 
old pet," silence, and each lowered head, spoke louder than words, 
the disappointment, if not the mortification of all. 

It was very touching to me, at the same time very flattering, as 
it tested the feeling of my subordinates. 

Reports flew, from brigade to brigade. I was at first assigned to 
my Centerville boys, and they were very jubilant, cheering the news 
lustily. All except the Garibaldi Guards. One of them was heard 
to exclaim: "H — 1! Old Hays is coming back, and there won't be 
a man of us left alive!" 

At the same time my Kearney brigade, with the Sixty-third, laid 
claim to me. Birney solicited me, on their behalf, and his own, 
very urgently, and I accepted. I am, therefore, back where I began 
the war, and the Sixty-third is again under my command. 



Camp Bullock, March 30, 1864. 

As you will see by enclosed "Farewell address," I have parted 
with my old command and assumed a new one, much older than 
the last, although it is still the Third Division, Second Army Corps, 
which I am required to prefix with "Second Brigade." My fighting 
force at present numbers 3,600 men, and it will soon be increased to 
over 4,000, perhaps made 5,000. 

The Sixty-third are nearly frantic, and their cheers of welcome 
are loud and long. The One Hundred and Fifth and Fifty-seventh 
were not much behind. All are well pleased, and I think no com- 
mander ever received a more welcome reception. It appears to 
partially reconcile them to the dismemberment of their corps. 

We are all allowed to wear the old Kearney badge, which is a 
square (l"xl") of deep red merino cloth. My banner is of spotless 
white, of triangular shape, bearing in the center tl^e square, and 
otherwise relieved by a dark blue stripe down the side, which 
attaches to the flagstaff. All are delighted with the change, Corts 
and Sullivan especially. I have three new aids in addition, and will 
be allowed three permanently. 



42 8 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

Headquarters Third Division, Second Army Corps, 

Camp near Stevensburg, Va., 

Marcli 26, 1864. 
Soldiers: — 

General Orders No. 11, Corps Headquarters, temporarily dissolves 
the "Old Third Division," with which you have been so long asso- 
ciated. Consolidation was a military necessity, to accumulate a 
power which no enemy will be able to resist. 

Although only nine months your commander, we have shared 
together the tiresome march, and cheerless bivouac. But within the 
same short period you have five times triumphed over your enemies. 
Your former services are recorded, and to them you have added 
Gettysburg, Auburn, Bristoe, Locust Grove and Morton's Ford. 

You have distinguished yourselves, not only by your courage on 
the field of battle, but by evidences of your loyalty to your country, 
and subordination to the discipline imposed upon you. 

It is trying upon the soldier to part with the badge, associated with 
his long service, and to see furled the banner under which there was 
always victory, — but it is a sacrifice exacted by your country. 

It is my sincere hope and expectation, that within a brief period 
of time, "The Old Division" will be reorganized, and the blue tre-foil 
will once more wave over you. 

Until then your banner will be sacredly preserved and restored 
to you, or otherwise it will be deposited where it will be a memento 
to the nation, of your triumphs and your sacrifices. 

ALEXANDER HAYS, 
Official. Brigadier General Volunteers. 

GEORGE P. CORTS, 

Assistant Adjutant General. 



MRS HAYS (IN CAMP) TO HER FAMILY. 

Centerville, Va., June 18, 18C3. 
My Dear Father: 

The general, with myself and escort, started to look for the Sixty- 
third soon after breakfast, and after riding some hours we came 
suddenly upon them encamped on the other side of Bull Run, near 
the old battlefield. "At once there rose so wild a yell," upon the 
arrival of their beloved colonel, that regiments ran in every direc- 
tion to see what could be the matter. The men gathered around to 
shake hands, and get one word. I never saw the general so elated. 
He had something witty to say to all, and when Dougherty, of Com- 
pany H, came pushing forward, Alex, (the general) raised his hands 
and said: "Why, is it possible that Company H is yet alive!" Such 
roars you never heard. We remained an hour, and on leaving they 
gave three cheers for "our general." I saw Ryan, Gross, Haymaker, 
Mayuard, McClelland, etc., and Major Danks. 



GEORGE P. CORTS, ASSISTANT ADJUTANT ON GENERAL HAYS' 
STAFF, TO FRIENDS IN PITTSBURGH. 

Washington, D. C, May 18, 1863. 
I am happy in being again in the military service, having received 
appointment of assistant adjutant general, and the additional good 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 429 

luck of being ordered to duty with General Hays, and will enter 
upon my duties tomorrow. 

The general says the Sixty-third No. 2 is now organized, and 
when opportunity affords the fame and glory of the "Iron- 
Clad" Sixty-third Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, will be fully 
sustained by the Third Brigade. General Hays is extremely 
popular with his troops; they have perfect confidence in him and 
know when it comes to fighting they will have to do their work. 

It is sad to think of the loss of so many of our brave comrades, 
yet pleasant to know that all (with one exception) did nobly, and 
the Sixty-third looms up gloriously. 

I am very respectfully. 

Your friend, 

GEORGE P. C0RT3. 



GENERAL HEINTZELMAN TO GOVERNOR CURTIN 
(PENNSYLVANIA.) 

July 30, 1862. 
No regiment in the army has been more distinguished than the 
Sixty-third. 



JOE HOOPES, COMPANY C, TO HIS FAMILY. 

Camp Johnston, February 15, 1862. 
We went out Monday morning on picket about eight miles from 
camp, on the turnpike, (the road most of our men marched on to 
Bull Run). We amused ourselves during the day hunting rabbits, 
pheasants and partridges, which are very abundant. Our cavalry 
were out scouting when they came in sight of about 800 rebels, who 
yelled, "Send out the bloody Sixty-third if they want to get licked." 
They reported at headquarters, when Company I was started double- 
quick, for Pohick, followed by one company of cavalry, and Com- 
panies E and C. Company I and the cavalry alone raced the rebels 
to their picket lines, capturing one. No one was hurt. 



March 6, 1862. 
Captain Chapman, Company K, Quartermaster Lysle and one 
private were killed in a skirmish while scouting night before last, 
and a private of Company K wounded. It was a disastrous affair 
for us, for we lost some of our 'best men. 



Camp near Hampton, Va., 

March 25, 1862. 
En route to Fort Monroe, we passed the Monitor. I was never 
more surprised than when I saw it. I supposed it to be a large boat 
all covered with iron, instead of which all you can see is something 
like a large tub floating around on a flat board. 



November 10, 1863. 
We now draw for rations soft bread, beans, fresh beef four times 
a week, salt pork three times a week, dried apples, potatoes, sugar, 
coffee, salt, vinegar, etc., so you see they are feeding us up for the 
slaughter. 



430 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

Near Brandy Station, Va., 

January 19, 1864. 
Samuel Miller, conscript, Company — , died last night. 
Lieutenant Weeks, Company H, died in hospital this morning from 
wounds. 



Camp Bullock, Va., February 1, 18 64. 
The Sixty-third has made its reputation without the aid of news- 
papers. One of Colonel (now General) Hays' rules was never to 
allow his regiment to be puffed, and once when it was, he was very 
angry. He always told us, deeds would speak for themselves, and 
that the "Old Ironsides" would take care of itself. 



April 1, 1864. 
General Hays says he thinks we will be mustered out about 
August 25th. Some say not until October 9th. I saw General Hays 
this morning; he was very pleasant, and shook hands very cordially, 
inquiring how I was getting along, and thought soldiering agreed 
excellently with me. 



Thursday, June 2, 1864. 
Very heavy volleys of musketry and cannonading from 4 to 5 a. 
m., which continued throughout the day. Left park near New 
Castle, at 7 a. m., crossed the Mattaquin Creek, and parked four 
miles from Cold Harbor, and fifteen miles from Richmond. Our 
forces are within six miles of Richmond. 



Steamer Commodore, Annapolis, Md., 

June 4, 1862. 
We came down with seven hundred and fifty men from Richmond, 
and arrived here yesterday. Lieutenant Hurst, of Rochester, our 
first lieutenant (Company C) was killed; George Gibson (Company 
C) had his leg blown off by a cannon ball; Colonel Morgan is shot 
through both hips; Lieutenant Maynard (Company B) wounded. 
Only fifteen of Company C and Lieutenant Taylor came out safe. 
Thirteen of Company A and second lieutenant came out safe. The 
regiment is stationed about two hundred yards in front of us, with 
the horses taken out, the guns unlimbered, and the artillery men 
lying on the ground beside their guns waiting for the ball to open. 



WILLIAM McGRANAHAN TO MRS. HAYS. 

Camp Shields, October 1, 1861. 
The Sixty-third Regiment is the most effective regiment in the 
service during the war. This may seem mere boast, but time will 
prove what I now assert. Since we came to this side of the river 
we have been so very busy getting the camp properly arranged and 
the men made comfortable, that but little time could be devoted to 
drilling. From this time forward the entire attention of all hands 
will be at drill. With the imperfect drilling heretofore given, we 
can boast of having been highly complimented by the lookers-on, 
as we marched from Camp Hays to Camp Shields, for the general 
appearance of our regiment; this, too, when we were but partly 
equipped. Hard to tell what they would have said i'f all had been 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 431 

fully uniformed and otherwise equipped — no doubt they would have 
expressed their feelings in the common and rather vulgar expres- 
sion: "Ain't that a bully regiment," and then they would have told 
us only that of which we are fully aware, and mighty proud we 
are too. 

The colonel (Hays) is constantly to be found looking after the 
comfort of the men; late and early he can be seen somewhere in 
the camp instructing in the many duties of officers and soldiers. 
Already he is loved by the men for his attention to their wants, and 
very soon they will worship him or I am mistaken in human nature. 

Our brigade consists of the Sixty-third, (always first). Sixty-first 
and Thirty-second, McKnight's regiment. The Sixty-first is Rippey's, 
the Thirty-second a Philadelphia regiment. 

We are not fully equipped, but expect to be in a day or two. 
The consolidation of the companies was accomplished, am glad to 
say, very agreeable to all. The Mercer squad and Chapman's make 
one company; McAninch and Ormsby one company; Venango and 
Armstrong one company. The others were recruited full. Our report 
this morning shows 1,038 men and officers, and when I tell you that 
1,046 is a regiment, you know how near we are full, in fact we have 
all we want at present. Captains of companies, as they stand in 
line of battle: First, Berringer; second, Hanna; third, Banks; 
fourth, McHenry, (assigned to command the Venango and Arm- 
strong squads, now the "Morgan Guards"); fifth, Ryan; sixth, 
Chapman; seventh, McCullough; eighth, Reid; ninth, Ormsby; 
tenth, Kirkwood. 

The band instruments arrived on Monday and are very handsome, 
giving general satisfaction, and soon we will be able to report our 
band being A-1. 



Fair Oaks, June 26, 1862. 

Hardly have I done recounting the particulars of one engagement 
in which the Sixty-third participated, until I feel us driving the 
enemy and again hotly contesting the field with them. Yesterday 
morning we received an order to be under arms at 7:30 o'clock, and 
to "fall in promptly" as it was important on this occasion. We 
were on hand at the appointed hour, and an aide brought an order 
to the colonel to march out to the rifle pits, which we did, and were 
met by General Robinson, who gave the colonel some instructions, 
and away we went toward a wood in front of us in which were our 
pickets. Soon we came upon our pickets and formed a line on the 
same front with them. Colonel Hays then threw out skirmishers, 
and this was the first intimation we had of the intentioh to advance 
on the rebel pickets, but advance we did, and driving them before 
us, were supported by the Twentieth Indiana, a regiment recently 
attached to our brigade. We soon came upon the rebel reserve, how- 
ever, and for awhile we were checked. Hooker's division on the 
right had a hard fight for the position they gained, and the volleys 
of musketry were equal to any heard on the day of the Battle of 
Fair Oaks. All day our line held the woods, and we were forced to 
maintain our position all night, and of course everybody had to 
remain awake to prevent surprise, which was attempted several 
times. In an alarm and firing about \ o'clock a. m.. Lieutenant S. 
Hays Cochran, of Company G, a native of Franklin, Venango county, 
was badly wounded and died today. Poor Cochran f He did his 



432 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

duty and brought the company through the Battle of Fair Oaks, but 
fell in the comparatively small affair of today. We were consider- 
ably worn out this morning when we fell back to the rifle pits. 
The fatigue of yesterday, with the loss of sleep last night, told on 
us and all hands were glad to get to camp for dinner. We had a 
pretty severe little fight and if General Kearney's words can be 
believed, the Sixty-third has immortalized herself. He came up to 
Colonel Hays on the line last night just before dark, and said: 
"Colonel, I congratulate you! You have done well!" Upon which 
Colonel Hays replied: "Thank you, General." The general then 
announced: "THIS is the regiment that has covered itself with 
glory." He kindly inquired after the wounded, anl this morning 
told Colonel Hays to send his report of the regiment's loss as soon 
as possible, "that the men might have due credit." The list of our 
killed, wounded and missing is slight in comparison with some of 
the regiments which assisted vis in driving in the rebel lines. 

This morning a terrible cannonading was opened far on the right, 
about 7 o'clock, and has been kept up ever since, and it is now 10 
o'clock. What it means we do not know yet, but rumor says that 
McDowell has effected a connection with Porter on the right, and 
that they are swinging around on Richmond with all their forces. 
Terrific cheering has been heard for the last half hour, the cannon- 
ading has ceased, and we almost believe that Richmond has been 
taken. 



Four Miles from James River, 

July 5, 1862. 

After lengthy, rapid and fatiguing marches, sundry desperate 
fights, and fearful exposures, we are at last at a place of rest. Here 
in a beautiful wood, some three or four miles 'from the Jaihes Riv^er, 
we have been since the afternoon of July 3rd, spending the "Glorious 
Fourth" in making up reports of late battles. 

Only we, ourselves, know what we have suffered in this grand 
change in the base of military operations (modification of "hasty 
retreat"). We were informed on the evening of June 28th that a 
general move of the entire army would take place next day, and 
appearances indicated that it would not be a "forward" one, so we 
were in a measure prepared to "fall back," and report said that our 
final stand would be made at the James River. Shortly after day- 
light, on the 2 9th, the move commenced. Our brigade fell back to 
the second line of rifle pits and redoubts, held by us on the night 
o»f the Fair Oaks battle. May 31st. At noon our regiment was sent 
on picket to the front, some three-quarters of a mile, to watch and 
retard the advance of the rebel scouts and outposts. It was after 3 
o'clock before we were withdrawn. All this time the retreat was 
going on, and as our division (Kearney's) had not moved, it became 
generally known that we were the rear guard, and would cover the 
retreat — a dangerous and honorable position-^one which would 
cover us with glory if we performed our work well, and I am happy 
to say now that the work is over, that we have the glory, and the 
beauty of it is that it is conceded by the entire division that to the 
Sixty-third belongs the laurels of the fight of the 30th, the Battle 
of Nelson's Farm. 

General Kearney is loud in his praise of the colonel and his regi- 
ment, and General Berry, commanding a brigade in Kearney's divis- 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-TIITRD REGIMENT 433 

ion, declares he never saw a regiment behave so cool under fire, or 
deliver more deliberate vollej-s of musketry into an enemy. The 
Sixty-third has now a lasting fame, but at a sacrifice of many of its 
brave members. 

Our loss on the 30th was 11 killed, 64 wounded and 2 3 missing, 
the greater part of the "missing" supposed to be killed or badly 
wounded and prisoners. 

Yesterday regimental bands played all day, and the national 
salutes were fired in every division. General McClellan rode 
through the entire army, and at each corps headquarters, a major 
general's salute was fired. The demonstration sounded little like 
the enemy were lying in force scarce one mile and a half from us. 

Our regiment is coming up wonderfully; from 150, the number 
present July 1st, we have increased to 400. Scon we hope to have 
the Sixty-third almost up to its old Camp Johnston standard. 

We have a Pittsburgh volunteer surgeon attending our regiment 
now — Dr. Whitesell, a splendid man and one who is doing more 
for our men than any surgeon we ever had. 



Camp near James River, July 29, IS 62. 

Nothing of importance has transpired in camp recently. "All 
quiet along the lines," and we are now occupied as when at Camp 
Johnston, drilling, reviewing, inspecting, parading, etc., and it seems 
like old times, but that we miss so many familiar faces that now 
"lie deep in the sacred soil," inhabit the walls of Richmond Tobacco 
Prison, or swelter in the close atmosphere of some hospital. Ah, 
dear friend, the Sixty-third is not the Sixty-third you left last 
winter. That long line of well-equipped and neatly-uniformed men 
has been lessened dreadfully, and of the thousand and six originally 
forming tke gallant Sixty-third, only five hundred and thirty are now 
with us. Such is life! Such are the fi'uits of this wicked and most 
unholy war. If our loss is a fair average of the balance of McClel- 
lan's army, the reduction in his forces by killed, died of disease, 
missing in action, absent at the hospitals, sick and wounded, must 
have been tremendous. 



Camp Pitcher, near Falmouth, Va., 

March 2, 1863. 

We make a short move tomorrow with this brigade — change of 
camp some two and a half miles to the left, on account of the 
scarcity of wood where we are now; we have cut and burned nearly 
every tree within one and a half miles. It is now too far to carry 
wood, and we cannot get wagons just when we require them. It is 
astonishing what a vast quantity of wood the army consumes in two 
or three months. When we came here, about the last of November, 
thick pine forests shielded us from the wind on every side, and ran 
down almost to the river bank. Now the steeples of Fredericksburg 
can be seen plainly from where I write, although they are a mile and- 
a half away. 

From just above my tent the famous "Crest" Burnside speaks of 
in his report of the battle, is distinctly visible. I wish you were 
here to go with me and survey the scene of the terrible carnage of 
December 11, 12, 13 and 14, the scenes of Burnside's Fredericksburg 
disaster. It is quite interesting and novel to go down to the Rappa- 



434 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

hannock and watch the wretched rebs promenade the streets of the 
city, within a stone's throw of you, and looliing across, one can 
scarcely believe that that narrow stream forms a boundary (at pres- 
ent) of more importance than the vast ocean between Europe and 
the United States. It is the division line here between the Northern 
and Southern Confederacies, and a fearful one it is. The pickets 
upon the opposite shores are forbidden to hold any conversation 
with each other now, it having been noted that frequently quite 
noisy quarrels, wars of words, were carried on, sometimes political 
debates, and it was feared that some day they might open a little 
engagement across the river without authority, to try the range of 
their guns on the "Butternuts." 

Let me give you the result of this morning's report: 

Present for duty, officers and men 392 

Sick, officers and men 34 



Total present 426 

Officers absent, sick, with leave and on detached 

duty 9 

Men with and without leave 2 

Men on detached service 58 

Men sick and wounded in hospitals 113 



Aggregate present and absent officers and 
men 608 

Out of 113 absent sick and wounded, there are probably 30 that 
have been discharged from service at hospitals on account of dis- 
ability, reducing the average to 578. Five hundred and seventy-eight 
left out of 1,046 Pennsylvanians the colonel brought ijicross the 
Potomac one year ago, upon the 2 9th of September. The colonel 
said, as we moved up toward Fort Ellsworth, "Now, boys, we are 
upon the sacred soil of Virginia." Alas! how many of them never 
got off it? 

Those reported "present, sick," are in the majority, but slightly 
ill; colds from exposure, etc.; several of them are just recovering 
from measles — big boys to have measles. 



Birney's Division Hospital, 

May 20, 1863. 

Dear Brother: — Hard job to write lying on mj' back, but I must 
scratch a few lines to relieve your anxiety. I am doing very well, 
although not yet out of danger. On Sunday morning. May 3rd, 
about 6 o'clock, I was shot through the left side by a minnie ball, 
the ball passing clean through and went on its way rejoicing, having 
entered the small of my back, about two and a half inches from the 
backbone, and coming out in the abdomen pretty well towards the 
-side. Shot in the back, but no disgrace as I was mounted, and 
endeavoring to steady the men as we fell back to a position where 
we had the advantage of the "graybacks." Feeling myself wounded 
and unable to remain in the saddle, I checked up the horse and dis- 
mounted. The animal broke from me immediately, and I followed 
on after the regiment about fifty yards, but had to give it up as 
I was getting so weak. Down I went, face foremost, among some 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 435 

bed clothes upset from a medicine wagon. There I lay while the 
battle raged around and over me, and the demon rebels came howling 
on. In half an hour the fierceness of the conflict ceased directly 
about me; the rebels went to the right and left into the woods. 
Then it was that I espied a Sixty-third boy who had come that far 
back to look for a wounded comrade. I hailed him and got a drink 
of water. He got me fixed more comfortably and I had, previous to 
that, turned over on my back, which I found a great relief. I now 
discovered that some portion of my insides had run out through 
the hole in my abdomen. This alarmed me considerably, and I 
gave up entirely, had no hope of ever getting away from there alive. 
A few moments after some two or three other "Yankees" gathered 
around me and, making a litter and placing some of the comforts 
on me, carried me inside our lines, some quarter of a mile. The fire 
now became very hot, shot and shell flew around us. I saw one or 
two of the boys waver and requested them to carry me to the side 
of a brook, about one hundred yards distant. This they did, and 
then all but the Sixty-third boy left me. While piling up knap- 
sacks about me to keep balls and pieces of shell from striking 
me, he had his left hand struck off by a missile, and I made him leave 
me at once. After that I had rebel care entirely. They were very 
kind, but relieved me of several articles which they said I would 
not need, sword, belt, hat, etc. They put up a shelter to keep off 
the sun as it grew warm. Towards night a rebel surgeon came and 
gave me several powders of morphine to allay my suffering for the 
night. I passed the night very easy. The rebels made me some 
coffee for breakfast and wanted me to eat some of their biscuit, but I 
couldn't go them — all dough. About 10 o'clock I was carried back 
into the fleld where I had been shot, and taken to an old barn where 
a Federal hospital had been established. Here I was made pretty 
comfortable, and the surgeons, Drs. Zookly, Webster, Leet and others, 
(Federals), commenced to deliberate on the disposal of what had 
run out of the abdomen hole. The second day they decided that 
it was covering of the intestines. This they ligatured and cut off 
even with the surface of the abdomen. I felt much relieved after 
this, and got along pretty well on poor fare' for twelve days, which 
I put in on my back. Finally the ambulances came, and my mis- 
erable ride commenced. The jolting and jarring nearly flnished me. 
I got the ambulance to stop over night near our lines, Friday, the 
15th, after we had crossed the river, as I was completely exhausted. 
Saturday we proceeded again slowly, and 4 p. m. brought me to 
this hospital, delivered almost safely from the hands of the Philis- 
tines. 

The Sixty-third, as usual, did nobly, as their loss will testify. 



(McGranahan died of his wound June 2, 1S63.) 



GENERAL ALEXANDER HAYS. 

"On Fame's Eternal Camping Ground 
His silent tent is spread, 
And Glory guards, Avith solemn round, 
The Bivouac of the Dead." 

Alexander Hays was born in Franklin, Pennsylvania, on July S, 
1819. He received a common school education in his native town, 
and later entered Allegheny College at Meadville. Subsequently he 
received an appointment as cadet in the Military Academy at West 
Point, where he graduated in 1844, and where he had been the fel- 
low student of U. S. Grant and Winfleld S. Hancock. 

Immediately on leaving West Point, he was assigned to duty, with 
the brevet of second lieutenant, in the Fourth Infantry, to which 
Grant also belonged. 

The Mexican war breaking out about this time, his regiment was 
among the first to advance upon the enemy's territory, and in the 
battles of Palo Alto and Reseca de la Palma, Lieutenant Hays cap- 
tured, in connection with Lieutenant Woods, likewise a Pennsyl- 
vanian, the first gun wrested from the enemy. In this engagement 
he received a wound in the leg, and in recognition of his gallantry 
in these actions, he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant, 
and transferred to the Eighth Infantry. His wound unfitting him 
for active duty he was sent on recruiting service to Western Pennsyl- 
vania, where he soon enlisted a battalion of five hundred men from 
the hardy pioneers of that region, and rejoined the army at Vera 
Cruz, participating in , all the engagements until the end of the 
Mexican war. His list of battles numbered twenty, ending at 
Zacultapan. 

On the restoration of peace. Lieutenant Hays resigned his com- 
mission in the army and engaged in civil pursuits. His education 
at West Point made him a skilled engineer, and the country just 
then awakening to the importance of railroad construction, had need 
of his services. While engaged on an extensive work in bridge 
engineering for the Allegheny Valley Railroad, Fort Sumter was 
fired on. Without waiting to finish his work he laid it aside, saying 
to his wife as he did so, "That kind of work is now ended. My 
country calls, and I must hasten to the field." 

He enlisted in a militia company in Pittsburgh, known as the City 
Guard, of which he was chosen captain. This company became piart 
of the Twelfth Regiment, for the three months' service, and Captain 
Hays was commissioned major. 

In the summer of 1861 he was appointed captain of the Sixteenth 
United States Infantry; at the close of the term of service of the 
Twelfth he returned home, and at once set about recruiting a regi- 
ment for the war. His companions of the old "City Guard" whom he 
had converted into real soldiers, followed him, and his regiment was 
designated the Sixty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, Major Hays 




General Alexander Hays' Monument and Grave, Allegheny 
Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pa. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 437 

being commissioned colonel. Its history is bright with laurels, and 
red with the blood of its decimated ranks. 

In a severe engagement at Second Bull Run, Colonel Hays, in lead- 
ing his men up a steep embanl^ment occupied by the enemy, was 
shot in the leg, and that limb badly shattered. His services in this 
and subsequent actions did not pass without recognition from the 
government. He was appointed and confirmed brigadier general of 
Volunteers, and lieutenant colonel in the Regular Army. 

Before General Hays had entirely recovered from his wound, he 
was assigned to the command of the Third Brigade of Casey's Divis- 
ion, Twenty-second Corps, in charge of the defenses before and 
around Washington. During this time he was preparing his brigade 
for the eventful days of July, 1863, when the Fourth of '76 was 
re-endeared to our heart's affection, in the new baptism of blood and 
tears. 

On the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg, General Hays, com- 
manding the Third Division of the Second Army Corps, finds him- 
self opposed to General Pickett and others of General Hays' class- 
mates at West Point, and comrades of the Mexican war, had been 
cannonading the opposing lines for some time, without effect; then 
moves his troops across the field, thinking, no doubt, that his 
veterans will derive these raw militia like chaff before the wind. But 
they meet General Hays and his veterans; he has put fight into 
them. He restrains himself and his men until the enemy is at close 
quarters. Then the word is "Up and at them!" His rapid well- 
directed firing sent the column reeling in confusion back upon its 
rear and centre. A hurricane, charged with lead and fire and death, 
consumes them. 

The battle was won. This Avas the decisive charge; and General 
Hays was a hero among the heroes of Gettysburg. He takes from 
the enemy, that day, twenty-two regimental banners or battle flags, 
three thousand stand of arms, and captures about twice the number 
of his command. Out of sixteen mounted orderlies he has 'but two 
left. He has lost all of his colonels; lieutenant colonels command 
brigades; lieutenants command regiments. Two of his horses are 
killed under him; his entire staff is unhorsed. Their steeds lie dead 
where they fell, or are in their last agonies. 

His men gather around their chief to congratulate him. Reeking 
with dust and sweat, and weary with the toil of the battle, they 
receive the commendation they deserve. How proud they are of their 
commander. How proud he is of his '"boys." The war cloud has 
passed from his brow, and the hard-set features of a few moments 
before relax into his kind, familiar smile of love and affection. 

A correspondent of a Buffalo newspaper, himself a soldier, and 
who was upon that fatal hill when the battle was at its height 
beholding the deeds of valor of this brave leader, and his fearless- 
ness when the very air seemed freighted with danger, thus described 
him: 

"I -wish you could have seen the picture, just at the close of last 
Friday's battle, on the left of our centre, of which his splendid 
figure formed a prominent part. Our little brigade, which had been 
lying on Cemetery Hill, was ordered over to the position that was 
so valiantly but unsuccessfully charged by Pettigrew.'s rebel division 
We hurried there through a storm of shot and shell, but only arrived 
in time to see the grand finale, the tableau vivants, and. alas, mor- 
ants, at the close of the drama. The enemy's batteries were still 



438 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

playing briskly, and theii' sharpshooters kept up a lively fire, but 
their infantry, slain and wounded and routed, were pouring, prison- 
ers, into our lines throug'hout their whole extent. 

Then gnter Alexander Hays, brigadier general United States Army, 
the brave American soldier. Six feet or more in height, erect and 
smiling, lightly holding in hand his horse — the third within an hour, 
a noble animal, his flanks be-spattered with blood, he seized a cap- 
tured rebel flag, handing one to each of his aides, David Shields 
and George P. Corts, all three dashing along in front of our division 
line, trailing ignominiously in the dust the enemy's flags, now rush- 
ing out in the open field, a mark for a hundred sharpshooters, but 
never touched, now quietly cantering back to our lines to be wel- 
comed vs^ith a storm of cheers. I reckon him the grandest view of 
my life. I bar not Niagara. It was the arch spirit of glorious Vic- 
tory triumphing wildly over the fallen foe. 

The night after, I met General Hays again. After the fight of 
Friday afternoon, we held the battlefield, our skirmishers forming 
a line on the outer edge of it. The field was strewn with rebel 
wounded. It was impossible for us to bring them in Friday night; 
every apology for a hospital being crowded, our own wounded, in 
many cases lying out all night. But on Saturday morning bandsmen 
were sent out 'with litters to bring in the poor fellows, and were 
fired upon so 'briskly by the rebel sharpshooters that it was impos- 
sible to help them. Stories similar to this I had often heard but 
never believed, but this came under my own observation. So all day 
SaJturday the poor fellows lay there, praying for death. When night 
fell, another officer of my regiment and myself got a few volunteers 
to go with us thinking there might be some who could creep into 
our lines, supported on either side, by one of us. May God preserve 
me from such a position again! We could do almost nothing. Of a 
thousand wounded men we found one whom four of us could carry 
into our lines in a blanket. Other poor souls would think they could 
accomplish it, but at the slightest change of position, would fall 
back screaming in aiwful agony. Litters we had none. Then 
appeared General Hays in another light, less of the bravado per- 
haps, not less of the hero. He sent out two companies, who cleared 
the rebel sharpshooters from a position they held in a ruined build- 
ing, busied himself in procuring litters and bearers, and before 
morning many of the poor fellows were safe within our lines. It 
is not my good fortune to be personally acquainted with this Gen- 
eral Alexander Hays, but I wish everyone, as far as I 'can effect it, 
to honor him as the bravest of soldiers, and love him as the best- 
hearted of men. A true chevalier he must be, sans peur et sans 
reproche. It seems miraculous that General Hays escaped unharmed." 

The character of General Hays was manifested in the letter 
acknowledging the receipt of a magnificent sword, presented him by 
the citizens of Pittsburgh, a few months after the Battle of Gettys- 
burg, in which he says: "When the rebellion broke upon us like a 
tornado, in the desecration of our flag at Sumter, I took oath never 
to sheath my sword until honorable peace should restore us to one 
glorious Union." 

General Walker, in his "History of the Second Army Corps," thus 
speaks of Generals Hays at Gettysburg: 

"Here was to be seen the new division commander. General Alex- 
ander Hays, with his staff and his flag following him, dashing 
along the skirmish line, inciting his men to renewed activity, in the 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 439 

eye of both armies. Such demonstrations which, with General Hays, 
were of frequent occurrence, were likely to give the impression that 
he was a mere hot-headed fighter; whereas, in fact, his extraordinary 
vivacity in battle was united with a soundness of judgment and 
firmness of temper which made him one of the most useful oflacers 
in the service." 

Of the Confederate battle flags captured, General Hancock's OfR- 
cial Report of the Battle of Gettysburg, is quoted: 

"There were undoubtedly thirty-three colors captured." 

Of these General Alexander Hays' command, the Third Division of 
the Second Army Corps, captured twenty-two. 

In all the subsequent battles of the Army of the Potomac, General 
Hays took an active part, with no less honors than he received at 
Gettysburg. 

On the first day of May, 1864, the Army of the Potomac marched 
into the Wilderness, where after seven days of fighting they sacrificed 
almost ninety thousand men. This wilderness is a veritable jungle; 
of small undergrowth, so dense that it is almost impossible for a 
human being to pass through it. 

Here was fought one of the most desperate battles of the war. 

On the oth of May, being the first day's fight in the Wilderness, 
General Hays, then being in command of the survivors of Kearney's 
old division of heroes, occupying the key to Grant's position, as was 
so fitting to these men, was shot through the head, from front to 
rear, not dying for three hours, so wonderful was his vitality. Of 
his death a few of the reports of officers who witnessed the battle 
•are quoted: 

In General Hancock's Official Report of the Battle of the Wilder- 
ness, he says: '"General Alexander Hays, that dauntless soldier, 
whose intrepid and chivalric bearing on so many battlefields had 
won for him the highest renown, was killed at the head of his com- 
mand." 

General Grant, in his Personal Memoirs, speaking of the death 
of his old classmate, says "One of our most gallant commanders, 
General Alexander Hays, was killed. I had been with him at West 
Point, and had served with him through the Mexican war. He was 
a most gallant officer, ready to lead his command wherever ordered. 
With him it was 'Come, boys,' not 'Go.' " 

The death of General Hays is thus described by General Walker, 
in his History of the Second Army Corps: "Th-e losses had been 
heavy. Among the killed of that afternoon was General Alexander 
Hays. At Gettysburg, at Bristoe, at Mine Run, at Morton's Ford, 
this devoted officer rode, with his staff and flag behind him, the 
mark of a thousand riflemen, the admiration of the two armies, 
only to fall in a tangled wilderness, where scarce a regiment could 
note his person, and derive inspiration from his courage and martial 
enthusiasm. All the peculiar advantages of the Army of the 
Potomac were sacrificed in this jungle-fighting into which they were 
called to engage. Of what use here was the tactical skill and per- 
fection of form; of what use here the example and the personal 
influence of a Hays or a Hancock?" 

In his "Campaigning with Grant," General Horace Porter says: 
"The fighting had become exceedingly severe on that part of the 
field. General Alexander Hays, one of the most gallant officers in 
the service, commanding one of Hancock's brigades, finding that his 
line had broken, rushed forward to reorganize his troops, and was 



440 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

instantly killed. * * * After remaining some time with Han- 
cock's men, I returned to headquarters to report the situation to 
the general-in-chief, and carry to him the sad intelligence of Hays' 
death. General Grant was by no means a demonstrative man, but 
vipon learning the intelligence 1 brought, he was visibly affected. 
He was seated upon the ground with his back against a tree, still 
whittling pine sticks. He eat for a time without uttering a word, 
and then, speaking in a low voice, ana pausing between the sen- 
tences, said 'Hays and I were cadets together for three years. We 
served for a time in the same regiment in the Mexican war. He 
was a noble man and a gallant officer. I am not surprised that he 
met his death at the head of his troops; it was just like him. He 
was a man who would never follow, ^but would always lead in 
battle.' " 

What more fitting tribute could be paid the memory of General 
Hays than that in the formal oflTicial report of his death: "The 
fighting became very fierce at once, the lines of battle being so very 
close. The musketry continuous and deadly along the whole line. 
General Alexander Hays, an officer of distinguished gallantry, was 
killed at the head of his command." 

The thoughts and feelings of General Hays just before entering 
upon that desperate conflict in the Wilderness, where he lost his 
life, were expressed in a letter written upon the morning on which 
the march commenced; 

"This morning was beautiful, for 
Lightly and brightly shone the sun, 
As if the morn was a jocund one. 

Although we were anticipating to march at 8 o'clock, it might 
have been an appropriate harbinger of the regeneration of mankind; 
but it only brought to remembrance, through t'he throats of many 
bugles, that duty enjoined upon each one, perhaps, before the setting 
sun, to lay down his life for his country." 

The body of General Hays was brought to Pittsburgh ten days 
after his death, and buried from the First Presbyterian Church with 
all the honors of war. Business was suspended and the city paid 
homage to the memory of one loved and admired by all. As the 
funeral cortege passed from the church to the Allegheny cemetery 
in Lawrenceville, cannon along the hillside boomed forth honors 
to the dead soldier, while thousands of people lined the streets with 
uncovered heads as the funeral passed along. 

In the presence of many of the men who followed him in battle, 
and a large concourse of people, his sacred remains were laid in the 
earth, mourned by a nation. 

Soon after the close of the war a movement was inaugurated by 
the soldiers of General Hays' command to erect a memorial to his 
memory. In a short time sufficient funds had been collected to erect 
the monument which today marks his resting place. 

The following is a list of battles in which General Hays pai*- 
ticipated: 

Mexican War — Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Santa Fe, Pasco de 
Orejas, National Bridge, Huamantla. El Penal-, Pueblo, Atlixco, San 
Augustin de la Palma, Tehuacan, Galaxca, Flaxcala, Orizaba Cor- 
dova, Tulancingo, Zacultapan. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 441 

Rebellion — 1861-1S65 — Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Peach 
Orchard, White Oak Swamp, Glendale, Malvern, Bristoe (August, 
1862), Bull Run, Groveton, Gettysburg, Auburn, Bristoe (October, 
1863)', Locust Grove, Mine Run Kxi)edition, Morton's Ford and the 
Wilderness. 

AT THE GRAVE OF GENERAL HAYS. 

I stood today beside the tomb 

Where sleeps a friend of other days. 
And read upon the sculptured stone. 

The name of "Alexander Hays." 

Thereon was grouped in grand array 
Those martial emblems which suggest 

The pomp and pageantry of war, 

And thrill the patriot soldier's breast. 

On either side, a long array 

Of battles fought and victories won, 

In which the bravest of the brave 
Was Pennsylvania's noble son. 

While with uncovered head I stood. 

And bent with reverential awe, 
I only thought of "Aleck Hays," 

And not the record of the war. 

I thought not of the chief today. 

Nor of the sword he once did wield. 
His stern, firm voice so often heard 

Upon the bloody battlefield. 

I only thought of him as friend. 

His genial, gentle, pleasant ways. 
Which shed a gleam of gladness on 

Whoever spoke with Aleck Hays. 

Once more methought I stood with him. 

Apart from battle's wild turmoil. 
And grasped again his honest hand. 

On Old Virginia's sacred soil. 

I thought of when 1 saw him last, 

Beneath the sunny Southei-n skies, 
Where rolls the bloody Rapidan, 

And the grand old lilue Mountains rise. 

Peace to his ashes — let him rest. 

Type of true soldier, and true friend. 

And let his memory cherished be. 
And honored until time shall end. 

— Edwin B. Houghton (of Seventeenth Maine Regiment, former 
member of his staff.) 



442 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

COLONEL A. S. M. MORGAN. 

Algernon Sidney Mountain Morgan was born at Morganza, Pa., 
May 9, 1831, his father being James B. Morgan, who at the age of 
16 was a member of a company raised in Washington county. Pa., 
which marched across the mountains to meet the British. His 
grandfather was General John Morgan, who entered the army at an 
early age, and served as aid to General Butler, at St. Clair's defeat. 
Colonel George Morgan, his great-grandfather, served during the 
entire Revolutionary war, so it was but natural that the subject of 
this sketch should have a desire to enter military life, especially 
where it involved the national unity. 

He graduated at the Western University of Pennsylvania in 1847, 
and was immediately appointed rodman on the Ohio & Pennsylvania 
Railroad, whose president was Geenral William Robinson, of Alle- 
gheny. 

Prom here he entered the service of the Pittsburgh & Connelis- 
ville Railroad, of which William Larimer, J., was president, and 
Oliver W. Barnes chief engineer, being in charge of the party that 
made the first surveys of that railroad from West Newton to Con- 
nellsville, his residence being in Fayette county during this period. 
Here he acquired a thorough knowledge of the Connellsville coal 
field which later led to his engaging in the coke business and retir- 
ing from civil engineering. At that time very little was known of 
this grade of coal which has since become famous, and Morgan was 
the first engaged in shipping Connellsville coke regularly to Pitts- 
burgh and the west, and was engaged in this business when Presi- 
dent Lincoln's first call for volunteers led him to enlist. 

The firm of Morgan Company, which he had formed, was after- 
wards largely concerned in the manufacture and shipping of Con- 
nellsville coke. 

At the outbreak of the rebellion in 1861, he was among the first 
to tender his services to his country, being elected second lieutenant 
of the old City Guards, which became a part of the Twelfth Regi- 
ment, and served out the three months' term of service of that 
organization. 

Although, without any previous military training. Lieutenant 
Morgan became proficient in military tactics, and the reputation of 
the Twelfth and Sixty-third Regiments as being among the best 
drilled and disciplined commands in the army, was largely due to 
his patient and efficient efforts. 

Immediately on the expiration of the term of service of the 
Twelfth Regiment, Alexander Hays, who had been major of that 
regiment, was commissioned colonel with authority to raise a regi- 
ment, resulting in the recruiting of the Sixty-third, of which Morgan 
became lieutenant colonel, and in which he was materially inter- 
ested in recruiting. His former experience as drill master proved a 
vital feature in the future of this fighting regiment. 

In the terrific Battle of Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862, Colonel 
Morgan, then in command of the regiment temporarily, was terrible 
wounded, and carried off the field, never to return to active service. 
For distinguished bravery in this and former actions he was pro- 
moted to colonel, September 29, 1862, vice Colonel Hays, promoted 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 443 

to brigadier general, and was discharged April 16, 1863, while still 
confined to bed, on account of wounds received. 

In December, 1863, Colonel Morgan was appointed military store- 
keeper of the ordinance department of the Allegheny arsenal, Pitts- 
burgh, Pa., where he was stationed until he was retired for disabil- 
ity caused by a cataract, June 6, 1894, with the exception of the 
four years from 1875 to 1879, when he was stationed at Rock Island 
arsenal at ordinance storekeeper. 

He is now a retired officer of the United States Army with the 
rank of major, and residing at Pittsburgh. 



WILLIAM SPEER KIRKWOOD. 

William Speer Kirkwood, colonel of the Sixty-third Regiment, 
was born on the 4th of July, 1835, at Fairview, Allegheny county, 
Pennsylvania. His father was Archibald Kirkwood, a native of 
Ireland; his mother Elizabeth (Sterrars) Kirkwood. He was, in boy- 
hood, a farmer and ferryman, early developing a liking for naval 
life. He received a fair English education in the public schools of 
his native place, but had no military training. From youth he was 
steady and industrious; and it is remembered as a somewhat notable 
circumstance, that he never saw Pittsburgh until after he was fifteen 
years old. In person, he was nearly six feet in height, and stoutly 
built. 

He recruited Company B for the Sixty-third Regiment, of which 
he was elected captain. During McClellan's campaign. Captain Kirk- 
wood was contant at the post of duty, sharing with the humblest 
subaltern the privations and sufferings incident to a life in camp, 
amid the bogs and swamps before Yorktown and upon the Chicka- 
hominy; and in the Battle of Fair Oaks, where the regiment was 
closely engaged, bore himself with great gallantry, and fortunately, 
where so many of his comrades went down, he was preserved 
unscathed. Soon after that battle he was promoted to major. At 
Second Bull Run the regiment was again subjected to a fiery ordeal. 
Kearney's division, to which it belonged, was drawn up in line of 
battle near Groveton. Robinson's brigade was ordered to advance 
upon an old railroad bed, behind which the enemy's skirmishers 
had taken shelter. Before reaching it, two picked men from each 
company were sent forward to drive out these troublesome marks- 
men. The left of the line was already warmly engaged, when Gen- 
eral Kearney rode up to Colonel Hays and ordered him to charge, 
saying, as he gave the order, "I will support you handsomely." No 
troops could have obeyed the order more gallantly, but as the line 
approached the embankment, it received, unexpectedly, a deadly fire 
from the concealed foe, which threw it into some confusion. Rally- 
ing, it again went forward, and again was it saluted by a fatally- 
aimed volley, by which Colonel Hays was wounded. Major Kirk- 
wood promptly assumed command, and led his regiment on; but he 
had scarcely done so, when he also was severely wounded in the 
left leg, being twice struck. He was carried from the field, and his 
wounds found to be of a serious character. In September, 1862, he 
was commissioned lieutenant colonel and, in April following, colonel. 

When it became apparent, near the close of this month, that 
Hooker was about to lead his army to meet the enemy, 
he manifested great impatience to lead his regiment, though 



444 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

his wounds were still open. His surgeon remonstrated with him, 
but he declared that he must see his command fight and be with it. 
So crippled was he, when the army set out for Chancellorsville, that 
he had to be lifted upon his horse, and no representations of injury 
to his wounds by the surgeon could induce him to remain in camp. 
On the afternoon of the 2nd, a few hours before the Eleventh Corps 
was struck by "Stonewall" Jackson, Birney's division was pushed 
out nearly two miles in front of the main line of the army, where 
it was engaged with Jackson's rear guard, and when Jackson 
attacked, Birney was isolated and in danger of being cut off. But 
the rout of the Eleventh Corps having been stayed, Birney moved^ 
back, and after a midnight struggle, gained his place in line. On 
Sunday the 'battle was renewed, and though the Union troops fought 
with their accustomed heroism, they contended at a great disad- 
vantage. The Sixty-third, standing on the left of the brigade, found 
its flank exposed and over-reached by the enemy. A galling fire, 
was poured in upon it, and many of the brave fellows were laid low. 
Colonel Kirkwood, while conducting the fight and leading his men 
with unsurpassed bravery and skill, was stricken down, receiving 
wounds which proved mortal. He survived until the 2 5th of June, 
subject to intense suffering, when he expired, deeply lamented by his 
entire command. 

COLONEL JOHN ANDERSON BANKS. 

Born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, March 11, 1826, he lived 
on a farm until 1840, when his family removed to Pittsburgh, where 
he obtained a good common school education, attending 'for a short 
time the Magill Academy. 

By occupation he was an iron worker, at the same time taking an 
active part in church work, exercising his gifts in the local ministry 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1848 he married Anna 
Reese. 

At the outbreak of the rebellion he was living at Etna, and at 
■once commenced recruiting a company for the war, which became 
Company E, of the Sixty-third regiment, his commission as captain 
of such dating from September 9, 1861. He remained in command 
of the company until the Battle of Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862, where 
he was wounded in the right leg, and sent to the General Hospital. 
After partial recovery he was granted a leave of absence, returning 
to the regiment with several recruits for his own company and regi- 
ment. 

Colonel Hays having been wounded at the Second Battle of Bull 
Run and promoted to brigadier general. Lieutenant Colonel Morgan 
was promoted colonel, he having been wounded at Fair Oaks, and 
Major Kirkwood, who was absent on account of wounds, was pro- 
moted to lieutenant colonel, and Captain Danks was promoted 
major, his commission to date from September 22, 1862, and being 
the senior officer present, led the regiment in the Battle of Fred- 
ericksburg, Va. In that engagement he heroically headed a charge 
In which his own regiment, with the One Hundred and Fourteenth, 
rescued twelve pieces of artillery and saved them from capture, 
receiving thanks of General Stoneman. 

At Chancellorsville he was taken prisoner and for weeks endured 
the privations of Libby Prison. Soon after his exchange he was pro- 
moted to lieutenant colonel, to date from June 2 6, 1863, and sub- 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 4 45 

sequently to colonel, the latter commission to date from the second 
(lay's fight at Gettysburg, where he and his command elicited the 
highest praise from his superior officers for their conduct in the 
Peach Orchard, and the vicinity of the Sherfy House. 

The regimental monument marks a spot on the west side of the 
Emmettsburg Pike, the advanced position of the corps on that day 
of fire and blood, — which they maintained until their ammunition 
was expended and they were ordered from the field. 

He was warmly engaged at Auburn Mills on the 14th of October, 
1863, where he led the regiment in a charge which resulted fortun- 
ately and won the approval of the division commander, the gallant 
Birney. 

At the Battle of the Wilderness he was wounded in the left arm, 
but sufficiently recovered to participate in the battles before Peters- 
burg. At the expiration of the three years for which the regiment 
was recruited, he, with a small remnant of his command, was mus- 
tered out and he returned to his home. 

On account of wounds he was unfit to follow his former calling; 
starting a grocery in Etna — his heart was too big — it did not prove 
a success. At the same time he was supplying the pulpits of several 
young and weak churches for a mere pittance. In 1866 he was 
elected to the State Legislature. ■ In 1870 he united witn the Pitts- 
burgh Methodist Episcopal Conference and did acceptable work at 
the various stations to which assigned, dying, as it were, in the 
harness. 

As a Grand Army worker he had no superior and was known far 
and wide by his lectures on Gettysburg, his thrilling speeches and 
soul-insi)iring songs, which have been listened to and appreciated by 
young and old, by veteran and civilian alike. These, with his 
church work, were a severe strain on his powers of endurance, but 
he never refused a call when within the limits of a ])ossibility; his 
services were cheerfully given often at the expense of his strength. 

He early identified himself with the Union Veteran Legion, and at 
the time of his death was cha])lain in chief of the national organi- 
zation. 

John A. Banks was brave, honest and true; impetuous at times, 
positive in his manner — by some, deemed unyielding — when he 
thought he was right; impatient in dictation, yet he ever listened 
to the voice of reason. 

Xo man, very few at least, ever realized more than he the weak- 
ness of our fallen natures, and many were his struggles, known only 
to himself, and to his Savior, in battling against his nature. His 
was a character full, both of solid convictions and good impulses, 
rugged in a degree, but permeated with the influence of gentleness. 

He was generous to a fault, the glitter of wealth, the promptings 
of an ambition had no charm for him. "He went about doing good," 
content with a modest competence which he was ever ready to share 
with the less fcTrtunate. 

Colonel Banks died at Glenfield, Pa., July 25, 1S96, and was 
buried at Allegheny, Pa. 

Peace to his ashes, let him- rest. 

Type of true soldier and true friend. 

And let his memory cherished be. 
And honored until time shall end." 



44 6 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

THE SUPERIORITY OF THE BLUE. 

By John A. Danks. 

For many years prior to 1861, political differences, individual 
opinions and interpretations, coupled with selfishness and ambition, 
kept the nation in a constant turmoil. Statesmen East, West, North 
and South grappled with those questions and differences, but no 
solution came to the nation. Indeed, their efforts seemed only to 
result in a widening of the breach, so that it was manifest that a 
storm was gathering in America. In 1860 dark political clouds were 
seen around our horizon. In 1861 they had spread over our national 
sky and war was declared in free America. The sun of peace and 
prosperity was darkened.. The sound of the timbrel and harp gave 
place to the fife and drum, and war, cruel war, was in the land; 
but there was patriotism, virtue and honor in the people and they 
were sufficient for the occasion. 



When the war cloud, dark and dreary. 
O'er the nation-'spread its pall; 

When Freedom's eagle, faint and weary, 
Reeling, toppling, seemed to fall; 

Then it was, with courage dauntless. 
For the right, the good, the true. 

There came in numbers almost countless, 
. Patriotic men in blue. 



Bravely did our country's yeomen, 

With our banner floating high. 
Meet the foes of right and freedom. 

Each resolved to win or die, 
Some have fallen, and now moulder 

In the grave oft wet with dew. 
But the fame of Union soldier 

Is immortal, like the blue. 



April Ninth, at Appomattox, 

Witnessed what words cannot say; 
When our God, with Grant commanding. 

Stamped defeat on all the gray. 
Then it was our prayers were answered, 

And our term of service through. 
When old glory, unmolested. 

Waved in triumph o'er the blue. 



Wave it must while time is passing; 

Wave it will when time is o'er; 
From the womb of morning flashing. 

Proudly gild the eternal shore. 
But the gray to darkness driven. 

All the ceaseless ages through, 
While the pure and good in heaven, 

Crowned with freedom, hail the blue. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 447 

Comrades, we should never falter, 

But through life together stand; 
All we have placed on the altar 

Of this highly favored land; 
Kindly caring for the widow, 

And the orphan of the true. 
Till the immortal Cam]) Commander 

Says, 'Receive the white for blue.' 

Then earth's bugle calls no longer 

Can disturb our calm repose; 
There we change by growing stronger. 

Never overpowered by foes. 
Wait, then, hero, wait the sequel 

To this life of checkered hue! 
Time will show God owns none equal 

To the men who wore the blue! 

MAJOR JAMES F. RYAN. 

Major Ryan was a son of William Ryan, a native of County Claire, 
Ireland, who emigrated to Canada in 1823, and in 1826 located in 
Pottsville, Pa. He was one of a family of brothers, among which 
were numbered William, a Catholic priest, and Stephen B., bishop of 
the Catholic diocese of Buffalo, N. Y. 

James P. Ryan in his early years learned the trade of a tinner 
and located in McKeesport in that business in 1848. To this he 
added hardware in the year 1853. In 1853 he married Mary, daugh- 
ter of Michael and Rose McCluskey, of Pittsburgh. This marriage 
was a most happy one and to them were born seven children: Martin 
F., Katie and Margaret, deceased; Alice, Steven and William Ryan, 
and Rose, wife of Daniel G. Donovan. 

When the war of the rebellion broke out Major Ryan was one of 
the first who volunteered his services in defense of the Union. He 
recruited Company I, Sixty-third Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, which was attached to the Army of the Potomac, and served 
with distinction throughout the war from Chantilly to Gettysburg, 
and from Gettysburg to Appomattox. He went out with his company 
as its captain and returned from the war with the rank of major. 
Company I was recruited and drilled in the old Alliquippa hall, near 
the foot of Market street. Afterwards encamped for a time at Camp 
Wilkins, near Pittsburgh. And it was a red letter day in McKees- 
port when Company I,' fully equipped, made a visit to McKeesport 
for its final parade before proceeding to the front. As a sample of 
the general esteem in which Major Ryan was held by the citizens 
of this community it is sufiicient to say that he was elected a mem- 
ber of councils and of the school board for many terms. That he 
•was elected burgess of the town on three different occasions and 
would have been again elected for a fourth term had he not posi- 
tively refused a re-election. He always took an active interest in 
the affairs of McKeesport, both civic and commercial. He was one 
of the organizers of the Commercial Trust Co.. which was afterwards 
re-organized as the First National bank, and was vice-president of 
that institution at the time of his death. In his relations with his 
fellow men Major Ryan was the soul of husiness honor and integrity. 
Under an apparently austere exterior he had a most kindly heart. 



448 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

He was rigorous, but just. He was a kind husband and an indulgent 
father. He was at all times active and industrious and at the time 
of his death had accumulated a goodly portion of this world's goods. 
In religion he was a Catholic and in politics a Democrat, consistent 
and persistent in both. No man ever lived in the city of McKees- 
port who enjoyed in a greater measure the esteem of his fellow citi- 
zens than did Major Ryan. 

- A tragic death brought the career of this estimable man to a close 
in the 65th year of his age. About 4 o'clock on the afternoon of 
April 19th, 1887, he was fatally injured in a runaway accident near 
his home. The news of his sudden death was a very severe shock to 
the community. No citizen of McKeesport ever received greater 
honors than did Major Ryan on the day of his burial. All business 
was suspended. The burial s'ervices were conducted by his brother, 
Bishop Ryan, of Buffalo, and his funeral was the largest ever seen 
in the city of McKeesport. All classes turned out to do him honor. 

REV. JAMES JUNIUS MARKS, D. D. 

Born near Pittsburgh, Pa., January 10, 1809; died at Laguna 
Beach, California, 'August 10, 1899. 

The death August 10, 1899, of this veteran minister, author, 
traveler, lecturer, philanthropist and patriot, at the ripe age of four 
score years anf ten, was sad news to his many friends in many 
states of the Union, but was scarcely unexpected, as he had outlived 
by twenty years the ordinary span of human life. 

Dr. Marks was born on the homestead farm on the Steubenville 
Pike, near Pittsburgh, three years before our second war with Eng- 
land, and only twenty-two years after the adoption of the Ameri- 
can Constitution. He had seen Lafayette and heard him speak, and 
was contemporary with other great men of the revolutionary period 
who have long since passed away. He was a son of General William 
Marks, one of the early settlers in Allegheny county, widely known 
and influential in his day — a state senator and speaker of the senate 
in 1821. 

General Marks sent James Junius to the old Jefferson College at 
Cannonsburg, Pa., where he w^as graduated with honors in 1830, 
and, feeling himself drawn to the ministry, he entered in 1831 the 
Western Theological Seminary in Allegheny. He began the work of 
the ministry as a licentiate in 1834, and two years later responded 
to an urgent call to enter on special work at Marion College, Mis- 
souri. He was soon after called to the church at Hannibal, Mo., 
where, in 1838, he was ordained by the Presbytery of Palmyra. In 
184 he accepted a call to the First Presbyterian church of Quincy, 
Illinois, where he labored with great zeal and efficiency for sixteen 
years. Stephen A. Douglas was a member of his congregation, and 
during his residence in Illinois, Dr. Marks made the acquaintance 
of Abraham Lincoln, and afterwards often called upon him at the 
White House. 

During the last two years of his pastorate at Quincy, his health, 
having become impaired by his arduous labors, Dr. Marks traveled 
extensively in England, Scotland, France and the Holy Land. On his 
return he resigned his charge at Quincy and spent some time in giv- 
ing a series of interesting lectures descriptive of the scenes of his 
travels, particularly in the Holy Land. 

At the breaking out of the Civil War his ardent patriotism 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 449 

prompted him to accept the chaplaincy of the Twelfth Regiment. 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, of the first call for a service of three 
months. At the close of his term, on August 25, 1861, he was com- 
missioned chaplain of the Sixty-third Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers — our own beloved organization — commanded by his warm per- 
sonal friend. Colonel (afterwards General) Alexander Hays. How- 
ever brilliant and useful was his career in other lines, in our opinion 
as his comrades, it was his service as chaplain that has made him 
best known and given him his most enduring fame. 

After his resignation on account of ill health, in December, 1862, 
and a period of rest and recuperation, he had charge of churches in 
Washington. D. C, Brookville, Pa., and St. Louis, Mo. In 1876 he 
removed from St. Louis to California, and had various charges in 
that state until within about a year before his death, when he was 
retired on account of the growing infirmities of age, after laboring 
for more than sixty years with great zeal and ability in the holy 
calling he had chosen in the spring-tide of youth. His death was 
peaceful and beautiful. 

"How beautiful it is for a mail to die 
Upon the walls of Zion! To be called. 
Like a watch-worn and weary sentinel, 
To put his armor off and rest in heaven." 

He is survived by one son, James Marks, .Jr., of Pittsburgh, Pa., 
and one daughter, Miss Sarah E. Marks, of Santa Monica, California, 
who was a ministering angel of comfort to her father in his last 
years. His wife, who had been his beloved companion for sixty-one 
years, was called from him in February, 189G. Of her, in a letter to 
a friend, written soon after her death, he touchingly said, "I grope 
in the dark for the touch of a hand 1 never reach, and listen for a 
voice I never hear, but 1 know the spiritual world is very near, and 
it may be she is even now ministering to me. She dwelt for years 
much of her time at the gate of heaven ,and our Lord gave some 
rays of His divine beauty "to her face, and 1 see her hand beckoning 
to me." In a little over three years the beckoning hand was ans- 
wered, and the bonds that wei-e broken by death were reunited, to be 
separated no more. 

In 1864 Dr. Marks wrote and pul)lished a gi'ai)hic History of the 
Peninsular Campaign in Virginia, and late in life he wrote and pub- 
lished "Dr. Nelson and His Times," a book of interest more especially 
to the student of ecclesiastical history in this country. His style, 
both as a speaker and writer, was lucid and forcible, and his diction 
smooth and elegant. His powers of descrii)tion could hardly be 
excelled. 

Gentleness and dignity of manner were among his striking char- 
acteristics, and they were not artificial, but were born of an innate 
love of and respect for his fellowmen. 

As already indicated, it was in the performance of his duties as an 
army chaplain that the nobleness and gentleness of his character 
and his self-sacrificing love for his fellowman, were brought out in 
all their fullness and beauty. Deeply loyal to the flag, he was not 
in the military service for lucre or glory, but as a minister of religion 
to win souls to Christ, and as a friend of humanity to administer to 
the sick and wounded in field and camj) and hos|)ital. When our 
urmy made its change of l);isi^ from the York to the .lames River in 



450 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

the summer of 1862, many of the sick and wounded in the diviison 
hospitals, being unable to be moved to the hospital boats, fell into 
the hands of the enemy and were taken to Richmond as prisoners of 
war. Dr. Marks had been for some time most devoted in ministering 
to them, before their capture, and rather than abandon them to the 
tender mercies of their captors, he willingly shared their imprison- 
ment and continued there his noble and untiring efforts for their 
spiritual well being, and their physical comfort too, as far as it was 
in his power to do so. 

Dr. John Swinburne, an eminent volunteer surgeon from Albany, 
New York, who frequently came in contact with Dr. Marks in the 
hospitals, where he found him indefatigable in his errands of mercy, 
in his introduction to Dr. Marks' History of the Peninsular Cam- 
paign, says of him: 

"Even before we had encountered half the harrowing scenes 
through which a Divine Providence guided us each in safety, I 
learned to look up to him and love him for himself. A more useful 
man was not connected with the army at that time. No man came 
'Within the sphere of his duties who was not most favorably impressed 
by his presence, and the thousands of soldiers now living, who, from 
time to time, during those days of blood, were the recipients of his 
goodly counsels and most kind attentions, will, in after years, when 
the name of Dr. Marks is mentioned, rise up and call him blessed." 

We, too, his comrades of the gallant Sixty-third, learned "to love 
him for himself," and can attest that Dr. Swinburne's prediction has 
been verified and will continue to be so, as long as any of us sur- 
vive. We shall ever revere his memory. Full of years and of honors, 
and rich in the goodness of his heart and the love and admiration 
of so many to whom he was a benefactor and bright exemplar, his 
grand and gentle spirit breathed itself away peacefully on the shores 
of the Pacific, like a mild autumn sun setting in the -golden west, 
leaving behind him the sweet aroma of a life well spent. 

"Now, now we measure at its worth. 
His gracious presence gone forever." 

But the benediction of his good deeds, in their ministry of hope 
and love, remain. Yes, thousands, when they hear his name men- 
tioned, will still "rise up and call him blessed." 

Knowing and loving him as we did, and grieving for his departure 
as we must, may we not fitly say to him in bidding him farewell, — 

"Sleep thou, at length, the all embracing sleep; 
Long was thy sowing day; rest now and reap." 



MAJOR BERNARD J. REID. 

Major Reid was born at Youngstown, Westmoreland county, Penn- 
sylvania, April 24, 1823, his parents being Meredith and Eleanor 
(Hanlon) Reid. His father was a pioneer teacher and surveyor, and 
from him he acquired a thorough knowledge of mathematics and 
civil engineering. He was educated in the subscription and common 
schools of the vicinity and at St. James's Academy, Brown county, 
Ohio, which was founded by his uncle, Rev. James Reid. 

At the age of 16, Major Reid taught the district school at Pleas- 
ant Unity, in his native county, being succeeded in that position by 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 451 

John W. Geary, afterward governor of Pennsylvania. When he was 
17 years old he came to Pittsburgh, walking here from his home, 
and procured employment as clerk in a Market street dry goods store. 
An opportunity presenting soon after, he taught the Dunlevy school, 
Chartiers township, and afterward a term of select school in the old 
Niagara engine house. At the age of 19 he removed to the new 
and growing town of Clarion, Pa., where, in 1842, he organized 
and taught a select school in the academy. 

In connection with his brother, John C. Reid, Major Raid, about 
1843, founded and was the editor of the Iron County Democrat, but 
soon after disposed of the paper and turned his attention to civil 
engineering, being for several years thereafter engaged in surveying 
and mapping the then wild lands of Clarion and adjoining counties. 
He was elected county surveyor in 1845, this being the only civil 
office he ever held. 

Major Reid began the study of law about this time, but in 1847 
suspended his studies to accept an important clerkship in the office 
of the United States Surveyor General at St. Louis, Mo., his duty 
being to inspect the reports ot all the surveyors in that district 
engaged in the field. He remained in St. Louis until May, 1849, 
when he joined in the rush to the California gold fields, leaving 
Independence, Mo., May 9, in a wagon train that was scheduled 
to reach the mines in sixty days, but being actually en route one 
hundred and twenty days, owing to cholera, scurvy and other dis- 
eases that weakened and delayed the party. 

Mining, trading and other occupations engaged Major Reid in 
California until 1851, at which time he became professor of English 
and mathematics in Santa Clara College, then founded upon the 
ruins of the old mission of that name near San Jose. In 1852 he 
returned to the "States" via the Isthmus of Panama, and resumed 
his law studies with Robert and Thomas Sutton, at Clarion, where 
he was admitted to the bar December 9, 1853, since which date, to 
within a few days of his last illness, he was engaged in active 
practice with undiminished powers. After his admission he at once 
took a leading place at the bar and for more than fifty years was 
engaged in nearly all the important litigation of Clarion county and 
in much of that in the adjoining counties of Jefferson, Forest and 
Venango. 

Major Reid was married February 21, 1854, to Letitia M. Farran, 
daughter of John Farran, a merchant of Pittsburgh, his wife being 
a sister of Rev. John C. Farran, pastor of St. Columbia's church, 
Johnstown, Pa. His wife died September 30, 1902. 

Upon the breaking out of the rebellion Major Reid recruited Com- 
pany F, Sixty-third Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, commanded 
by Colonel Alexander Hays, and was commissioned captain, taking 
part in McClellan's campaign in the Peninsula and participatiug 
until August, 1862, in all the engagements of the regiment, includ- 
ing the Seven Days' battles about Richmond, in one of which he 
commanded the regiment during the temporary disability of the 
colonel. The preservation of an important trust estate committed to 
his care compelled him to resign his commission, August 1, 1862, 
but in July, 1863, during the invasion of Pennsylvania, he recruited 
Company D, Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania Militia, of which he was 
commissioned captain, and was soon thereafter promoted to major. 
He served with this regiment in the pursuit of Morgan in West 
Virginia and Ohio, and until the organization was mustered out. 



452 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

In 1865 Major Reid formed a law partnership with J. H. Patrick, 
wliich continued under the name of Reid & Patrick until 1870. 
In 1871 he removed to Titusville, Pa., where he associated himself 
with Joseph A. Neill, and the firm of Reid & Neill will be remem- 
bered 'by the oil men of that period as a leading one in the import- 
ant litigation of Crawford county. Disappointed in his expectations 
that Titusville would become a county seat he removed in 1874 to 
Erie, Pa., where he practiced, besides attending the courts of Craw- 
ford, Clarion and Forest counties, until 187 7. 

At this time. Clarion county having become the principal oil- 
producing field. Major Reid returned to Clarion and resided there 
until 1900. After the admission to the bar of his son, A. B. Reid, 
the firm of B. J. & A. B. Reid was formed, continuing until the 
removal of the latter to Pittsburgh in 1890, when F. J. Maffett 
became his partner, the firm of Reid & Maffett thus formed being con- 
tinued until very recently^ In 1900 his children having left Clarion, 
he, with his wife, removed to Pittsburgh, where he had since been 
engaged in practice, having been admitted to the bar of Allegheny 
county December 15, 1900. He was associated with the firm of 
Watterson & Reid. He established early reputation at the bar 
through his defense of Charles Logue, the first person tried for 
murder in Clarion county, and whose conviction of murder in the 
first degree he reversed in the Supreme Court. He was the leading 
local counsel for the defense in the celebrated prosecution of the 
officers of the Standard Oil Company for conspiracy in Clarion county 
in 1879, in which he was associated with D. T. Watson, Lewis C. 
Cassiday and S. C. T. Dodd. He was admitted to practice before the 
Supreme Court of the United States in 1875. 

Major Reid was a past commander of John B. Loomis Post, No. 
205, G. A. R., of Clarion, and was judge advocate of the department 
of Pennsylvania. In 1901 he transferred his G. A. R. membership to 
McPherson Post No. 117, of Pittsburgh. He was a member of the 
Society of the Army of the Potomac, the Society of California 
Pioneers and the Western Pennsylvania Historical Society, in all of 
.which he took an active interest. He was active in religious, edu- 
cational and charitable work. He had, in addition to his knowledge 
of classical languages, a good command of German, French and 
Spanish. 

Major Reid was a consistent and devout Roman Catholic, a pioneer 
in the establishment and support of the Church of the Immaculate 
Conception at Clarion. In Pittsburgh, before the demolition of St. 
Paul's cathedral, he was a member of that parish, but since then 
attended the Church of the Sacred Heart, East End. 

Full of years and honors, mourned by a host of friends, beloved and 
admired by his comrades-in-arms, Major Reid passed into the life 
eternal at Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pa., on Tuesday, November 
15, 1904, and was buried in Cavalry cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

CAPTAIN ROBERT HOWARD MILLAR. 

Died in the city of Pittsburgh on the 1st day of February, A. D. 
1899, Robert Howard Millar, late captain of Company B, Sixty-third 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, in the 62nd year of his age. 

He was born near Glenshaw, (then called Shawtown), in Shaler 
township, Allegheny covmty, Pennsylvania, March 16, 183 7, on the 
family homestead farm, which had been patented to his grand- 



STORY OF TIIK SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 453 

father, Robert Millar, in 1817. His father was John Millar, and 
his mother's maiden name was Rosanna McCauley. 

When the war of the rebellion Ijroke out he was engaged in teach- 
ing school, but his patriotic spirit impelled him to give up his peace- 
ful calling to enter the service of his country, where stout arms and 
brave hearts were sorely needed to defend the Union and the flag of 
our fathers. He enlisted in Colonel Banks' Company E, of the Sixty- 
third Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, commanded by that bril- 
liant soldier, Colonel (afterwards General) Alexander Hays. On the 
organization of his company he was commissioned first lieutenant, 
and was afterwards promoted to captain. He served faithfully, 
as a gallant soldier and efficient officer, always beloved and respected 
by his men, and winning the commendation of his superior officers. 
He was wounded at the siege of Petersburg, Va., and received honor- 
able mention from President Lincoln for gallantry. 

Shortly after the close of the war he was i)ut in the transcribing 
room in the office of the recorder of deeds in Allegheny county, and 
held that responsible position until his death. 

In 1869 he was married to Miss Richmond Hagan, of Pittsl)urgh, 
who died in 1891, leaving no children. His only brother, Cornelius 
Wilson Millar, was killed in. battle at the age of 19 years. 

From the organization of the Regimental Association of the Sixty- 
third Pennsylvania Volunteers until his death, Captain Millar was 
its secretary, and faithfully and lovingly i)erformed the duties of 
that office. He joined Encampment No.l, Union Veteran Legion, of 
Pittsburgh, soon after its organization, and was an honored comrade 
of Abe Patterson Post No. 88, G. A. R., of Allegheny. He was a 
member of the Fourth Presbyterian church of Pittsburgh, and took 
an interest in all church work. His remains were interred in 
Greenwood cemetery, near the family homestead. 

It would be difficult to find many men of his generation with more 
excellent and amiable qualities than were jjossessed by our deceased 
comrade. He was truly a noble character, — intellectual, brave, 
honest, truthful, generous, genial and affectionate, — a chivalrous 
soldier, a faithful friend, a good citizen and a pure, upright man. 
Few officers in camp or field were more beloved by their men than 
was Captain Millar, and few men in civil life commanded more bin- 
cere regard. 



THE CITY GUARDS. 

About one year previous to the presidential election of 1860, 
James H. Childs, of Pittsburgh, proposed to his friends that they 
form a military company. Wheii asked why he didn't join the old 
Duquesne Grays, a prominent organization then existing in the city, 
he replied: "Oh, no, let us get up a new company composed of our 
own personal friends." At his solicitation a sufficient number of 
prominent young men were secured, and the company organized 
with Captain T. B. Brereton, a graduate of West Point, as captain. 
Maurice Wallace, who had also served in the United States Army, 
was engaged as drill master. Drilling was carried on without public 
demonstration for some months, when the Civil War began, with 
President Lincoln's call for volunteers for three months' service. 

Captain Brereton decided that he would not enter the service, and 
as the company decided they had played soldier long enough they 
would tender their company, and offered the command to Alexander 
Hays, then a resident of the city. As soon as it was known that 
Captain Hays was in command the company was rapidly filled and 
organized with the following officers: 

Alexander Hays, captain; James H. Childs, first lieutenant; A. S. 
M. Morgan, second lieutenant. The company was accepted, and was 
mustered in as Company K of the Twelfth Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers, under Colonel David Campbell. Captain Hays was made 
major, which necessitated the selection of another captain, and 
Childs proposed the name of W. C. Denny, who had previously been 
appointed first lieutenant, as one having more age and experience 
than himself. This was done, and on entering the Twelfth Regiment 
the company was made up of the following officers: Captain, W. 
C. Denny; first lieutenant, James H. Childs; second lieutenant, A. 
S. M. Morgan; first sergeant, Benjamin Bakewell; second sergeant, 
Charles W. Chapman; third sergeant, John O. Phillips; fourth ser- 
geant, A. B. Bonnifon. 

TWELFTH REGIMENT, PENNSYLVANIA VOLUN- 
TEERS. 

A number of men who enlisted in the Twelfth Regiment, Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers, for three months' service, were mustered in April 
25, 1861, and served out their term of service, on their return home 
re-enlisted in the Sixty-third as original members. Among these 
were the following, whose rank given is that held in the Twelfth: 

Major — Alexander Hays. 
Chaplain — J. J. Marks. 

COMPANY B — "DUQUESNE GRAYS." 
William R. Nicholson. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 4 55 

COMPANY C — "FIREMEN'S LEGION." 

First Sergeant — William Thompson. 

Fourth Sergeant — James Fowler. 

Musician — Edward T. Saint. 

Privates — William J. Draher, Thomas Glass, John Harvey, George 
J. Hall, John Kirkpatrick, Robert McAdams, Alexander McConkey, 
William J. McElroy, William J. Robinson, William H. Worden. 

COMPANY I. 
First Lieutenant — Henry Ormsby. 
Privates — William W. Peters, Samuel P. Gamble. 

COMPANY K — "CITY GUARDS." 
Second Lieutenant — A. S. M. Morgan. 
Second Sergeant — Charles W. Chapman. 
Fourth Corporal — George P. Corts. 

Privates — Theodore Bagley, George B. Chalmers, James Creigh- 
ton, William H. Dyer, Edward Kelly, James B. Kiddoo, John Lafever, 
Robert G. Mowry, Augustus J. Moots, Robert Stanford. 

The Twelfth Regiment was recruited and organized at Pittsburgh, 
under the supervision of Brigadier General James S. Negley. The 
Duquesne Grays and the Independent Blues, the oldest and among 
the best drilled companies in the city, many of whose members were 
veterans of the Mexican war, formed the basis of the organization. 
The Zouave Cadets, a company composed of young men, was formed 
at Pittsburgh in 1860, during the prevalence of the military furore, 
occasioned by the visit of the Chicago Zouaves, under Captain Ells- 
worth. The City Guards had been but a short time organized, and 
had never made their appearance on public parade. The remaining 
companies were formed de novo. An election of field officers was 
held on the 22nd of April, which resulted in the choice of the fol- 
lowing: David Campbell, of Pittsburgh, colonel; Norton McGiffin, 
of Washington, lieutenant colonel; Alexander Hays, of Pittsburgh, 
major. Daniel Leasure, from captain of Company H, was appointed 
adjutant, and subsequently also acted as adjutant general to General 
Negley. 

The regiment left Pittsburgh on the 24th of April, and arrived 
in Harrisburg on the 25th, where it was quartered in churches, and in 
the Capitol. On the afternoon of the same day, the Twelfth, together 
with the Thirteenth, was reviewed in the public grounds by Governor 
Curtin, and was mustered into the service of the United States. 
Immediately afterwards, the Twelfth departed by the Northern Cen- 
tral Railroad for Camp Scott, near the town of York. Here it 
remained for several weeks, engaged in drill. The camp was not 
a comfortable one, being at this season of the year, a field of mud. 
The men soon became impatient for active service. On the 19th of 
May the regiment was clothed, equipped, and furnished with camp 
equipage. 

The bridges on the Northern Central Railroad, which were 
destroyed immediately after its abandonment, had been re-built and 
trains commenced running regularly between Harrisburg and Balti- 
more, on the 9th of May. On the 25th, the regiment was ordered to 
move and take position on this road, from the State line to the city 
of Baltimore, relieving the First Pennsylvania, Colonel Yohe. The 
order was hailed with delight, opening to the men a prospect of 
activity. It was posted along the road, with headquarters at 



456 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

Cockeysville, where two companies, I and K, were stationed. The 
guard duty was very heavy, and soon became irksome, but not 
attemiJt by force or stealth, was ever made to interfere with the line. 
The companies were so much scattered that no opportunity was 
afforded for regimental drill after leaving Camp Scott. The two 
companies at Cockeysville were, however, regularly and thoroughly 
instructed, and scon acquired the proficiency of veterans. In the 
manual they were daily exercised by Sergeant Major Bonnafon, an 
experienced soldier, and in the school of the company by their offi- 
cers. The men were impatient to be with the advancing column, 
but were obliged to remain to the end of their term of enlistment 
in this position. 

The service rendered by this regiment was devoid of stirring inci- 
dent, but was, nevertheless, exceedingly laborious, was faithfully per- 
formed, and was of great moment to the government. The highest 
expectations were entertained of its heroic conduct in the face of the 
enemy; but no enemy was seen, and no occasion presented for the 
firing of a gun. It was a noiseless and inglorious campaign, but a 
highly useful one, for not only was an important and vital line of 
communication with the National Capitol preserved and protected, 
hut a fine body of men was thoroughly drilled and perfected in the 
school of arms, and many, who here received their first instruction, 
afterwards led with great skill in the most deadly encounters. The 
field officers had all received a military training. The regiment was 
mustered out of service at Harrisburg August 5, 1861. 



REGIMENTAL REUNIONS. 

At the first reunion of the regiment, held in the armory of the 
Fourteenth Regiment. Pittsburgh, Pa., Octoher 2 4, 1S79, a perman- 
ent organization of the surviving members vi^as effected, under the 
title of the 'Sixty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers' Regimental Asso- 
ciation," a banquet being held the same evening at the Seventh 
Avenue Hotel. Other reunions were held as follows: 

New Brighton, Pa., September 1, 1881. 

Lafayette Hall, Pittsburgh, Pa., October 2, 1882, jointly with the 
One Hundred and Fifth Regiment. 

Gettysburg battlefield, July 2, 1886. 

Gettysburg battlefield, September 11, 1889, on dedication of the 
Sixty-third Regiment monument. 

Sewickley, Pa. (Company D only) September 17, 1890. 

Pittsburgh, Fa., Union Veteran Legion Hall, 1894, G. A. R. 
encampment. 

Clarion, Pa., July 30, 1895, jointly with the One Hundred and 
Fifth Regiment. 

Shields, Pa., September 22, 1896. 

Shields, Pa., August 29, 1898. 

Pittsburgh, Pa., October 10, 1899. in Union Veteran Legion Hall. 

Sewickley, Pa., September 21, 1900, in Edgeworth club house. 

Pittsburgh, Pa., May 30, 1901, dedication of monument to General 
Hays in Allegheny cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

Sewickley, Pa., September 27, 1901, Edgeworth club house. 

Sewickley, Pa., September IS, 1902, Edgeworth club house. 

Pittsburgh, Pa., (Carrick) September 27, 1906, Point View Hotel. 

Pittsburgh, Pa., (Carrick) August 2 9, 1907, Point View Hotel. 

ADDRESS BY MAJOR B. J. REID. 

To the Survivors of the Sixty-third Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, at the First Reunion Banquet, Seventh Avenue Hotel, 
Pittsburgh, Pa., October 25, 1879: 

The duty your committee has allotted to me is not an esay one, — 
that of making, in a few words, a suitable response to the toast just 
announced. True, the theme is an inspiring one, but it is at the same 
time so fruitful, so expansive, that it is hard to crowd into a few- 
minutes what a whole evening would not be sufficient for. The his- 
tory of Kearney's division would be a history of the Army of the 
Potomac; and the difficulty I feel is not so much in determining what 
to say, as to leave unsaid. 

Kearney's division! The "Red Patch" division! The grand old 
fighting division! led by the chivalrous and accomplished soldier 
whose presence on the battlefield was an inspiration of heroism 
among his followers, and whose very name was a talisman and a 
watchword amid the din of conflict. Is there any need of telling to 
this audience of veterans the story of its deeds'.' No, comrades of 



458 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

the Sixty-third, not one of you but know that story as well as I do, 
and even better, for most of you served longer in the division than 
I did. But though you know the story well, and are not likely to 
forget it while life lasts, it is fit and proper, as well as pleasant, on 
occasions like this, to call up reminiscences of the old division, and 
the glorious part it took in the campaigns of the Potomac Army. 

During the first fall and winter, in front of Washington, under 
Heintzelman, its first commander, by constant drilling and discipline, 
frequent picket duty, and by occasional forced marches to re-connoiter 
the enemy, the officers and men of the division were fitted for the 
severer work that was to follow. And in that preparatory training, 
so valuable in its results, our own regimental commander, the 
veteran Hays, rich in the honors and experience of an older war, 
and ably seconded by Lieutenant Colonel Morgan, took care that the 
Sixty-third should not fall behind any regiment of the division in 
martial bearing, powers of endurance, or proficiency in every soldiery 
quality. 

That, however, was only playing soldier. But when spring came 
and the scene was shifted to the Peninsula, soldiering in earnest 
began. When we embarked for Fortress Monroe we left all dress 
parade behind us — all but one. You will all readily recall that one — 
the last dress parade of the war. On Saturday afternoon, the fifth 
■day of April, after a muddy march of a day and a half, the division, 
then commanded by General Hamilton, arrived before Yorktown with 
the rest of the army. We stacked arms in plain sight of the rebel 
fortifications and waited patiently an hour or two, probably for the 
rebels to come and invite us in out of the wet, but they did not come, 
and we pitched our shelter tents in the open fields, ■within about a 
mile of the principal fort. Some of our batteries began their target 
practice to get range, and the rebels answered back in kind, but 
tired, both took their coffee and crackers, crept into their little beds, 
and slept soundly to the lullaby of shot and shell. 

The next morning the clouds had broken away, the air was delight- 
ful, and all nature was radiant with sunshine and bright verdure. 
The guns on both sides were silent, keeping truce on God's holy Sab- 
bath. Nothing but an occasional bugle call interrupted the song of 
birds throughout the day. And when the sun was setting in peaceful 
splendor. Colonel Hays ordered out the regiment for dress parade. 
Promptly the line was formed, and our excellent brass band played 
successively the "Star Spangled Banner" and "Yankee Doodle." The 
whole regulation ceremonial was carried through. With a wave of 
the colonel's hand the parade was dismissed, and all was over. No, 
not quite all. For the rebels who had been watching the perform- 
ance, were struck with its cool audacity, and thought it deserved 
some recognition. Presently a white puff went up from an angle of 
the fort, a loud report followed, and whizz! came a large conical 
shell directly over us and fell crashing among the timber half a mile 
beyond our camp. The compliment was a handsome one, and hand- 
somely was it earned. The honors were then easy, and we had no 
more dress parades. 

The third day afterwards our regiment had its first haptism of 
musketry fire on a recogin in which Sergeant Irwin of my com- 
pany was killed. The same day our camps were moved back a mile 
in the swampy woods, to get out of range, but even then the enemy's 
shells frequently reached us or fell beyond us. It was here that Gen- 
eral Kearney was placed in command of our division. For nearly four 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 459 

weeks we lay in that pestilential swamp, doing our share of picket 
skirmishing, trench digging, redoubt building, and road making, for 
the heavy siege guns that were to blow Yorktown and its fortifica- 
tions into York river. That terrible halt was harder on the army 
than twenty battles, for during it our effective force was cut down 
one-half by disease and death. 

At last, all was about ready, and the grandest bombardment of 
modern times was to begin at an appointed hour. To complete the 
preparations, some regiments had been ordered, on Friday night, the 
2nd of May, to advance to a point previously selected by field-glass 
observation, on the crest of a low ridge within 500 yards of the prin- 
cipal rebel fort, and dig a rifle pit for some of our sharpshooters to 
occupy so as to silence the enemy's heaviest guns when the bom- 
bardment would open. The regiment selected, attempted it, and were 
driven off. On Saturday, the 3rd, General Jameson was general of 
the trenches, and was charged with the duty of digging the pits and 
placing the sharpshooters that night, as the bombardment was to 
begin the next day. The general chose the Sixty-third for the work. 
When the moon went down at midnight he sent the right wing under 
Major Wallace on some duty, toward the right, and led the left wing 
in person, under Lieutenant Colonel Morgan, to the spot selected. 
Three companies were left a little below, as a reserve, and Companies 
B and F were taken to the crest. In whispered orders I was directed 
to deploy twenty picked men of my company, push forward a hundred 
paces beyond the crest, and hold the ground while Company B noise- 
lessly dug the pits in the sandy soil. When, as we started forward, 
General Jameson was heard to say in a hoarse whisper, "My God, it 
is hard, but it must be done," so certain was he that we would have 
bloody work before we got through. Meanwhile, and all through 
the night, the rebel guns were sweeping the horizon in our direction 
with the fiercest cannonading of the whole siege. When we lay in 
our advanced position we could distinctly hear the words of command 
given the gunners. To add to the grandeur of the scene our gun- 
boats below the town were throwing heavy shells over us into the 
rehel works, which was probably intended by the commanding gen- 
eral as a diversion. When the pits were completed and disguised 
with cedar branches, we all silently withdrew, except the twelve 
doomed marksmen, who were supplied with water, food and ammuni- 
tion, as a forlorn hope, and left to their fate. General Jameson's joy 
was unbounded in so successfully accomplishing the important and 
perilous task, and we all began to feel like heroes for our part in 
what was to contribute so largely to the reduction of the rebel strong- 
hold, and to the surrender of the rebel army on the same historic 
field. On reaching camp we turned in to sleep, and dream of medals 
and promotions. Imagine our disgust on hearing at daylight that the 
whole rebel army had withdrawn during the night, and that all the 
cannonading was the work of a half a dozen men who remained 
behind till daybreak to make as fierce a showing as possible for a 
blind. Sic transit gloria. I never heard what became of the sharp- 
shooters we left in the pits, but I have an idea they are not there 
yet. 

How the division behaved at Williamsburg and Fair Oaks is a 
matter of history. I will only say that though it gets credit, as a 
division for its splendid fight at Fair Oaks, no historic account or 
official report that I have seen does justice to our regiment for its 
part in that battle. General Heintzelman's official report gives credit 



4C0 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

to Berry's brigade alone, for holding the most advanced line on the 
left against great odds till night closed the scene, an honor that 
really belongs to eight companies of the Sixty-third, and a portion 
of the Third and Fifth Michigan. 

Unfortunately Colonel Hays was that day on detached duty and 
was not with us in the fight, and Lieutenant Colonel Morgan, who 
gallantly led us to the front in the face of a terrific fusilade of 
artillery and small arms, was borne off the field, seriously wounded 
soon after we went in, and there was no one to report where we 
were or what we did. Colonel Hays was astonished when I showed 
him, three weeks afterwards, the position we had reached and held. 

In the memorable Seven Days' fight, Kearney's division again 
covered itself with glory. We opened the ball on Wednesday, the 2 5th 
of June, by driving the enemy *to a point nearer to Richmond than 
our forces occupied at any other time in their campaign. I remem- 
ber a sharp, terse, characteristic thing said by General Kearney on 
that occasion. General Robinson, who had succeeded Jameson in com- 
mand of our brigade, has driven the enemy's pickets a considerable 
distance and made a halt. Kearney came up, and said something, 
and we again advanced about half a mile farther, over hotly con- 
tested ground. For some unexplained reason we were soon after 
faced about, and marched back to the place Kearney had found us, 
or very near it. While holding that line during a lull, Kearney 
came up again, and said, "Well, general, what have you done?" "Oh, 
we have been driving the enemy," said Robinson. "Yes, but general, 
how far have you driven them? Have you driven them an inch?" 
The next two days, while McCall and Porter were fighting at 
Mechanicsville and Gaines Mill, our division was kept busy watching 
the enemy on our side of the Chickahominy, and marching here and 
there to reinforce threatened points. Porter and McCall having 
crossed over to our side on Friday night, after the hard fight at 
Gaines Mill, we were sent on Saturday to guard the bridges in their 
rear, while they were moving off tovv^ards James River, the retreat 
having already begun without our knowing there was going to be a 
retreat. But we saw signs of it when we got back in the evening to 
our own position on the extreme left front. Next day and the next 
I was in command of the regiment, as the senior captain present, 
the colonel being temporarily disabled by a severe neuralgia attack. 
Shortly after we reached camp that evening I received an order for 
every man to be provided with three days' rations and 150 rounds 
of ammunition. General Kearney came himself to the camp shortly 
after, and I inquired about the ammunition, thinking there might be 
some mistake. "No, no, no mistake, captain; see that every man 
takes 150 rounds." But, general, I suggested, where will they carry 
so many?" "Anywhere, captain, anywhere. Fill their cartridge 
boxes, and put the rest in their pockets, hats, anywhere. We are 
going on a journey, and it will come handy to have them." And the 
result proved he was right. It was there, too, that, as a precaution, 
in order to distinguish his own officers in the confusion of the 
retreat, he required every commissioned officer of his division to 
place on his cap the red diamond, since become so famous. 

On Sunday we fell back slowly, making frequent stands to hold 
the enemy in check, but it was at Glendale, on Monday, June 30th, 
that the Sixty-third particularly distinguished itself. Kearney's offi- 
cial report gives the highest meed of praise to Colonel Hays and his 
regiment for his splendid support of Thompson's battery, at a critical 
juncture of the battle. 



STORY OF TJIE SIXTY-TJITRD REGIMENT 4(11 

Then when the scene again shifted to the front of Washington in 
the last days of August, the division was hurried to the point of 
danger, where it suffered severely and bore itself most gallantly 
in the series of battles known as Second Bull Run. And among all 
the calamities of that ill-fated campaign, not one shocked and grieved 
the Nation so much as the death of Kearney at Chantilly. No more 
was his eagle eye to flash out light on the field of battle or his 
knightly plume to beckon his followers to victory, but his genius and 
bravery had made his name immortal, and though he fell, it remained 
as a precious legacy and as a mark of distinction to the division 
he had so nObly lead. And never did it prove recreant to that 
honored name it bore. 

Under its subsequent commanders, Stoneman and Birney, at Fred- 
ericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, 
North Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and elsewhere, through the 
long struggle, the old division proved itself worthy of its anteced- 
ents and the chivalric fame of its former leader. And until the last 
survivor of the war shall have passed away it will ever be accounted 
an honor to have belonged to Kearney's division of the Third Army 
Corps. 

And now, comrades, standing here with the thinned ranks in this 
first reunion of the regiment, let us drink in silence to the memory 
of the hero and patriot, Philip Kearney, and to the memory of that 
other hero and patriot, so much like Kearney, in all the elements of 
a true soldier, and who fell like him, in the very front of battle, in 
the service of his country, the first leader of the Sixty-third Penn- 
sylvania, General Alexander Hays. And while thus reviewing these 
illustrious names let us not forget the honor due to all those com- 
rades, heroes and patriots also, whether they carried muskets in the 
ranks or bore the ensign of office, whose lives were as dear to them 
and to their families as were the lives of any who wore a star, and 
whom we miss from our ranks here tonight because they too gave 
their lives for their country. 

Yes, we miss them from our ranks tonight, but we should never 
permit their names or their deeds to perish from our memory. 



GENERAL HAYS' MONUMENT. 

Immediately after General Hays' death, steps were taken to erect 
a fitting memorial at his grave, in the Allegheny cemetery, Pitts- 
burgh, Pa., officers and enlisted men of his command contributing to 
the project, and in 1866 the monument was completed, the lot upon 
which it was erected being contributed by the cemetery; the cannons 
which surround the lot donated by the United States Government. 

A few years following its erection the monument began to show 
the effects of weather and smoke, and gradually disintegrated until 
much of the inscription was effaced, and it was deemed advisable 
to renew the design in Barre granite, which is practically inde- 
structable. The original was taken down, broken up, and in its 
place erected the present memorial, which was unveiled on the 
morning of Memorial Day, 1901, under the direction of the surviv- 
ing members of the Sixty-third Regiment, Pennsylvania "Volunteers, 
with the following program of exercises: 

Dirge Second Regiment Band 

Prayer Chaplain Alex. Hays' Post No. 3, G. A. R. 

Quartette — -"Roses, Strew Roses" Nevin 

Miss Henriett Keil, Miss Helen M. Keil, Mr. Peter 
Keil,Jr., Mr. Wm. J. Caton. 

Unveiling of Monument Mrs. Martha Hays Black 

Address Comrade Thomas H. Martin 

Company F, Sixty-third Regiment. 

Then followed the regular annual memorial services of the Grand 
Army of the Republic, By General Alexander Hays' Post No. 3: 

Music Second Brigade Band 

Commander's Address William J. Hamilton 

Prayer Chaplain S. H. Cherlton 

Quartette — "Rest, Soldier, Rest" 

Formal Placing of Flowers 

Saluting the Dead Company F, Third Regiment, Boys' Brigade 

Benediction 

In the new monument the original design was preserved, with 
some minor alterations in the insignia on the front, showing the 
general's sword and scabbard crossed, with Second and Third Corps 
badges, surmounted by a wreath of oak and laurel. The front face 
reads: 

General Alexander Hays, 
Killed in the Battle of the Wilderness, 
May 5, 1864. 
Born July 8, 1819. 




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STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 4 63 

This Monument was erected by the Soldiers of his Command. 

On Fame's eternal camping ground, 

His silent tent is spread, 
And Glory guards, with solemn round, 

The bivouac of the dead. 

On one side a list of the battles of the Mexican war in which he 
participated: 

Palo Alto, 

Reseca de la Palma, 

Santa Fe, 

Pasco do Orejas, 

National Bridge, 

Humantla, 

El Penal, 

Pueblo, 

Atlixco, 

San Augustine de la Palma, 

Tehuacan, 

Galaxca, 

Flaxcala, 

Orizaba, 

Cordova, 

Tulancingo, 

Zacultapan. 

On the opposite side — his battles of the Civil War: 

Yorktown, 

Williamsburg, 

Fair Oaks, 

The Orchard, 

Glendale, 

Malvern, 

Bristoe, August A. D. 1862, 

Bull Run, 

Groveton, 

Gettysburg, 

Auburn, 

Bristoe, A. D. 1863, 

Locust Grove, 

Mine Run, 

Morton's Ford, 

The Wilderness. 

On the rear is the date of birth and death of Anna Adams 
McFadden, his wife. 

THE HAYS MONUMENT IN THE WILDERNESS. 

Between the lines the smoke hung low. 

And shells fell screaming to and fro, 
While blue and gray in sharp distress. 
Rode fast, their shattered lines to press 

Again upon the lingering foe. 



464 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

- 'Tis past, — and now the roses blow 
Where war was waging years ago. 
And naught exists save friendliness 
Between the lines. 

On the morning of June 3, 1905, in the presence of a vast con- 
course of Virginians, and a party of about one hundred from Pitts- 
burgh, a handsome memorial, marking the spot where General 
Alexander Hays fell in the Battle of the Wilderness, Virginia, May 
5, 1864, was dedicated with befitting ceremony. The exercises were 
remarkable from the fact that equal service on the program was 
rendered by Confederate and Union soldiers, the land on which 
the monument stands, having been presented by Major W. S. 
Embrey, a Confederate soldier. 

The monument was erected by admirers and the family of General 
Hays, through Alexander Hays Post 3, G. A. R., and Davis Camp 
Sons of Veterans, of Pittsburgh, and is in the shape of a large 
cannon standing upright on a granite base, with a simple bronze 
tablet affixed to the cannon bearing the legend: "Here fell General 
Alexander Hays, Third Division, Second Army Corps, U. S. V., May 
5, 1864." Upon the base is the inscription: "Erected by General 
Alexander Hays Post No. 3, Department of Pennsylvania, and Davis 
Camp Sons of Veterans." On the reverse: "This ground donated 
by Major W. S. Embrey, C. S. A." A substantial iron fence sur- 
rounds the monument. 

The program of the exercises reads: 

Song, "America" Audience and Sewickley G. A. R. Quartette 

Soprano, Mrs. J. Sharp McDonald; contralto, Mrs. John A. Roe; 
tenor, Mr. Robert J. Cunningham; bass, Mr. 
William C. Nevin, 

Invocation Rev. John H. Light 

Fredericksburg M. E. Church. 

Presentation of Deed to Land Major W. S. Embrey, C. S. A. 

Acceptance of Deed Captain David Shields 

Personal Aide to General Hays. 

Song — "Star Spangled Banner" Mrs. J. Sharp McDonald 

Presentation of Monument Rev. Nathan L. Brown, Pittsburgh 

Unveiling Alden F. Hays, son of General Hays 

Song — "Battle Cry of Freedom" Quartette 

Acceptance of Monument Thomas H. Martin 

Company F, Sixty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

Song — -"Falling Into Line" Quartette 

Original Poem — "Alex. Hays" Dr. Thomas Culver 

Song — "Dixie Land" Quartette 

Address Hon. John T. Goolrick, C. S. A. 

Song — "Tenting on the Old Camp Ground" Quartette 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-TIliRD REGIMENT 4 6.") 

Refreshments were served by the Ladies' Aid Society of Spottsyl- 
vania, an organization having charge of the Confederate cemetery 
at that place. 

The Sixty-third Regiment was represented by Captain David 
Shields, Captain George B. Chalmers, E. T. Saint, C. C. Fawcett, 
Thomas Kirk, W. R. Nicholson, Robert Orr. W. H. Jeffries, Andrew 
G. Williams, John Vogle, James Truby, John M. Yahres, Samuel 
Dunham. 

En route by vehicle from Fredericksburg to the monument, a 
brief stop was made at the monument which marks the spot where 
"Stonewall" Jackson was killed, when Captain David Shields placed 
a handsome wreath on the monument, followed by an address by 
A.ndrew G. Williams, of Company E, with music by the quartette. 

THE GETTYSBURG MONUMENT. 

ITnder the act of legislature of the state of Pennsylvania, in 1887, 
a commission was created for the erection of monuments to mark 
positions held by the various Pennsylvania regiments or commands 
on the battlefield of Gettysburg. An appropriation of one hundred 
and twenty-five thousand dollars was made, each regimental organi- 
zation to be awarded not to exceed fifteen hundred dollars, with 
the privilege of adding any amount they chose toward the erection 
of suitable memorials. An additional act allowed transportation 
to all honorable discharged soldiers who participated in the Gettys- 
burg fight, to and from the dedication of their respective monu- 
ments. Each organization was to have the selection of a design 
for their monuments, subject to the approval of the commission. 
Through lack of harmony on the part of the Executive Committee of 
the Sixty-third's Regimental Association, no design was agreed upon, 
and after much delay the State Commission chose a design and had 
erected the present monument, which met with the emphatic dis- 
approval of the Sixty-third members, being facetiously dubbed "The 
Base Burner Stove," by a waggish member. However, there was no 
recourse, and after a flat refusal at first to accept the memorial, 
it was dedicated on the afternoon of September 11, 1889, with the 
following addresses: 

COLONEL JOHN A. DANKS. 

My Comrades of the Sixty-third Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers: — 

Very few people (comparatively speaking) attach as much import- 
ance to the Battle of Gettysburg as belongs to it. Very few think 
of it as the Calvary of American Freedom. But such it is in the 
history of the United States. 

When we think of humanity as being crushed by sin and look 
for a remedy, we begin at the Garden and find the conclusion at 
Calvary. When we think and speak of the government of England 
as threatened with dismemberment and ruin, and look for the 
remedy, we find it Waterloo. So, when we think and speak of 
oppression, caste and class in America, and look for the remedy, we 
Ijegin at Har])er's Ferry with old John Brown, and find the answer 
ill Pickett's charge at Gettysburg. So we say: "For Humanity, 
Cavalry; for England, Waterloo; for America, Gett.vsburg." 

What a thrilling recollection it must be to each of us that we 



4 66 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

formed an important part of the army that rescued and saved the 
nation. Furthermore, that we discharged a duty on this line, more 
than twenty-six years ago, that has been increasing in interest and 
importance as the years go by. I had the lionor to command the 
regiment in this battle, I, therefore, know whereof I speak and 
deliberately say, that never did twenty-four hours witness, or one- 
fourth of a mile measure, more earnest devotion to the Union, than 
you rendered here on this line July 2, 1863. 

When the Battle of Gettysburg was joined, the Third Corps, in 
which we were serving, was near Frederick, Md.; we then marched 
to Emmitsburg, Md., stacked arms and were resting, when the word 
came: "The armies are fighting at Gettysburg and General Rey- 
nolds is killed — go at once to Gettysburg." We started at double- 
quick; we came in here about 8 o'clock on the night of the 1st. 
We halted for supper just to the right of Little Round Top; at about 
10 o'clock that night we were ordered and led here on this line to 
'do picket duty. Early on the morning of the 2nd, the enemy being 
in front, fired on the right of our line; this continued at intervals 
until about 9 o'clock. When a Maine regiment went out in front 
to test the strength of the enemy at this point, soon they and we 
became hotly engaged all along the line. But soon the enemy with- 
drew. Four times that day did the enemy come out, deploy a 
skirmish line as though they would bring on a general engagement. 
But you met them promptly and each time they retired. Between 
4 and 5 o'clock p. m. I was informed by the company commanders 
that our ammunition was about spent and we would have nothing 
but the bayonet, should the enemy come again. This report I sent 
by an orderly to General D. B. Birney; soon a regiment wearing a 
white patch came up to relieve us, and a staff officer came with 
instructions for me to take the regiment and replenish the ammuni- 
tion. 

We crossed the ridge and when on the Tanneytown Road I noticed 
our brigade and division headquarters flags in front. We moved into 
our place in the line just to the right of Little Round Top; there 
we remained until after Pickett's charge, when we were taken at 
double-quick down the line, and halted in front of where Pickett 
had been repulsed. We remained in the line there until the morn- 
ing of the 5th, when the army went in pursuit of the enemy. 

Reviewing the time and work, I am prepared to say, surely no 
man or nation could ask or expect an organization to do better sei*- 
vice than you did at Gettysburg in 1863. 

HISTORICAL SKETCH BY R. HOWARD MILLER. 

The movements of the First Division, Third Army Corps, from 
Falmouth, Va., and ending with our arrival at Gettysburg, will be 
found for all applicable purposes to apply to the movements of the 
Sixty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

June 5, 1863 — Third Army Corps (General D. B. Birney in com- 
mand) was posted at Boscobel, near Falmouth. 

June 11 — Marched from Boscobel to Hartwood Church. 

June 12 — Marched from Hartwood Church to Bealton, General 
Humphrey's division being advanced to the Rappahannock. 

June 14 — Marched from Bealton to Manassas Junction. 

June 17 — Marched fi'om Manassas Junction to Centreville. 

June 19 — Marched from Centreville to Gum Springs. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 467 

June 2 5 — Marched from Gum Springs to the north side of the 
Potomac at Edwards' Ferry and mouth of the Monocacy. 

June 2 6 — Marched from the Monocacy to Point of Rocks, Md. 

June 2 7 — Marched from Point of Rocks via Jefferson to Middle- 
town, Md. 

June 28 — Marched from Middletown to near Woodsboro, General 
Sickles assuming command, relieving General Birney. 

June 2 9. — Marched from Woodsboro to Taneytown beyond Pipe 
Creek. 

June 30 — Marched from Taneytown to Bridgeport. 

July 1- — -At 6 p. m. Graham and Ward's Brigades were posted 
directly across the Taneytown Road to the right of Little Round 
Top and in the rear of Geary's division, Twelfth Army Corps. About 
dusk of the same evening the regiment was placed in position on 
the Emmitsburg Pike with headquarters at the Sherfy House; on 
the morning of 2nd, about 5 o'clock, the enemy commenced firing, 
which was kept up during the day and at three different times 
■deployed and advanced a strong skirmish line as if they intended 
full columns to follow, but in every instance were driven back 
after a severe skirmish. At 5 p. m. we were relieved by the Second 
Division and ordered to replenish ammunition, when we crossed 
over Cemetery Ridge. Our division and brigade colors were on the 
Taneytown Road, where we remained that night. On the morning 
of the 3rd we went into line to the right of Little Round Top and 
enjoyed a share of the preliminary shelling of the enemy that was 
to usher in the rebel charge of Pickett's division. After the charge 
had failed, and the survivors were falling back to their lines, went 
on a 'double-quick down the line and were halted just in front of 
Pickett's dead and wounded; there we remained until July 5th. 

July 4 — Lee drew back his flanks and in the evening began his 
retreat by two routes — the main body on the direct road to Williams- 
port through the mountains, the other in the direction of Chambers- 
burg including his train of wounded with Gregg's cavalry in pur- 
suit. 

July 5 — At Gettysburg. July 6 — Marched to Mechanicstown. 
July 7 — Marched to near Frederick in front of the Monocacy. July 
8 — Marched from Frederick to Downsville, beyond Marsh Creek. 

July 14 — General Lee crossed on the night of the 14th to Vir- 
ginia side of the Potomac. 

July 17 — Regiment crossed into Virginia at Harper's Ferry on 
the night of the 17th, and thus ended the invasion of the soil of our 
native state, with all existing military prestige flushed with the 
hope of a victory like Chancellorsville, with hope of foreign recogni- 
tion if successful — they seemed to have great reason to hoi)e for 
success — but it was of paramount interest to the Confederates to 
strike a decisive blow on the battlefield; to retreat was dishonor to 
their cause already weakened, and the old world was waiting for 
the result; strike they did, the hour was ripe for history and the 
monument we dedicate today points with unerring finger to the 
history which they commemorate. The past is secure, the field 
attests the valor of the soldiers of the blue. May never again the 
storm cloud of war blur the horizon of our country, and we feel 
in going down the sober afternoon of life to the shades from whose 
bourne no traveller returns, to thank God in the fullness of our 
hearts that we have been permitted to live in this grand and glori- 
ous age, when slavery died, when freedom to all has taken a now 



4 68 UNDER THE RED PATCH * 

lease of life and more vigorous growth, when the old flag waves in 
triumph from ocean to ocean, from the lake to the gulf. In parting 
let us renew again our vows to the old flag and to each other, keep- 
ing up the touch to the right, and as comrade after comrade is 
called to the encampment above by the Supreme Commander, close 
up closer together both in heart and hand, and may we all so live 
that the plaudit will be, "'Well done, thou good and faithful serv- 
ant." 

DEDICATORY ADDRESS OP ANDREW G. WILLIAMS. 

Comrades: — The swiftly speeding days of more than twenty-six 
years have come and gone since first the Sixty-third Regiment, 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, stood in the might and majesty of its loyal 
manhood in defense of this identical portion on the Union line of 
battle, and today we, the survivors of that gallant old regiment, 
have met on this historic field; the field which marks the high flood 
tide of rebellion; the field against whose every side and flank the 
impetuous torrents of fratricidal war in all their hellish fury surged; 
to be rolled back and submerged only when its ridges and its plains, 
its orchards and its glens, its rocky round tops and its devil's den, 
had been drenched and ran red with the heroic blood of twenty 
thousand of your comrades, and not even then were the fierce fires 
of secession quenched on this field until three thousand more brave 
men went down to death and placed their lives, the one most valu- 
able and unmeasurable offer that ever was or can be made by mortal 
man for home and country, upon the nation's altar. 

Standing in this presence today we all fully realize how changed 
the scene. 

"No hostile armies gather now, 
But autumn air around 
Breathe peace and joy where once we fought 
Upon this very ground. 

When on this monument we gaze 

What hallowed memories throng 
Our cause — forever it was right 

Our foes — forever wrong. 

Forever wrong; all time will point 

To Gettysburg with pride 
Here freedom triumphed, and on this field 

The hopes of treason died." 

Monuments are as old as our race and all along the history of 
the dim and dusty ages of the past down to the bright and joyous 
present man has been perpetrating the memory of heroic men and 
deeds in monumental pile and storied urn, and this inclination 
comes to the mind of our common humanity, but as promptings from 
and a reflex expression of the great divine original Himself. God 
ever was and continues to be a monument builder. 

On this field today we are reminded of the many monuments, all 
of which are silently, yet eloquently, proclaiming that affection for 
and appreciation of heroic patriotism and patriotic heroism still sur- 
vives. We have met again on this once bloody field, after the lapse 
of so many years of peace and prosperity, to perpetuate the memory 
and render our faint and feeble tribute of praise to the valor of Penn- 
sylvania's soldiers, and especially do we meet on this historic spot — ■ 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 469 

the Peach Orchard — to dedicate this monument to the services of our 
loved and gallant Sixty-third, than which there was no braver, whose 
long lists of glorious achievements have never yet been enumerated 
and the history of which when written will be the history of the 
Army of the Potomac. And yet it's true on every hand we are 
reminded that here the brave men of eighteen sister states stood 
elbow to elbow and side by side most nobly fought and fell. 

A Grecian philosopher once said, "The whole earth is the sepulchre 
of illustrious men," and the Hon. Edward Everett in his matchless 
oration at the dedication of yonder National cemetery added, "All 
time is the millenium of their glory." 

The peaceful gathering here today of you, my comrades, but 
evidences the glorious success of your patriotic service. The Union 
and all that word implies: flag and all the privileges and rights it 
represents; country and all the hallowed memories and illustrious 
kinship we claim. All these must have inevitable and forever been 
engulfed in the whirlpool of rebellion, but for the service and 
sacrifice made by you bronzed and battle-browned veterans and your 
comrades. 

And now my comrades there remains for us who survive our fallen 
comrades the high, the holy duty of here and now resolving that 
these, our dead, shall not have died in vain, but that the cause to 
which they yielded their full measure of devotion shall forever have 
our undying fealty. This ground has been consecrated by the blood 
and death of our comrades; and this monument we now most 
solemnly dedicate to their memory and in honor of your service, and 
in its presence with uncovered head and upraised hand, we pledge 
our lives to eternal defense of the principles of right and justice, 
the contest for which has made this field so memorable. We have 
all reached the meridian of life and many with halting step and 
silvered locks are far down on the shady side of the mountain, indeed 
almost in the glades at its base and soon must lay us down at "taps" 
and bid our last adieu to comrades dear and the loved land we 
helped to save; let us see to it then that we so keep step to the 
music of moral heroism; so touch elbow to elbow in the march of 
human happiness; so stand in the ranks of valiant manhood, pre- 
senting a solid front against all the enemies of our race; so to put 
on the entire armor of christian soldiers and fight successfully the 
battles of this present life. 



470 



UNDER THE RED PATCH 



EXPLOSIVE BULLETS. 

The subject of explosive bullets is one much discussed since the 
war, some historians stating that there had been no such missile 
used during the Civil War, but the severe wounding of a member 
of the Sixty-third Regiment prompts us to mention these barbarous 
projectiles. "All is fair in love and war," is the belief of most of 
us. General Sherman's saying that "war is hell," had many proofs 
in every big battle. The adaptation of the use of explosive bullets 
to kill men, (instead of big game, elephants, rhinoceros, etc.), 
was used by the rebels, despite the doubts of some. The intent of 
the device was to kill, on entering the body of animal or man hit; 
if such result did not come from first phase then there was the 
probability, when the bullet exploded, the end desired would be 
reached. This failing, the copper remaining in the wound would 
poison the blood, and so terminate the life of the victim by slow, 
painful or excruciating misery. 

The bullets here shown were found on the battlefield of Gettys- 
burg. 




Fig. 1. Explosive bullet, never fired from gun, with outer lead jacket cut 
away, exposing the copper shell containing the high explosive. 

Fig. 2. Bullet fired from gun, showing effects of explosion of copper shell. 

Fig. 3. Bullet fired from gun taut not exploded, showing base of copper 
shell. 



The device was a conical copper bullet, containing a charge of 
high explosive; this inside of or covered by lead, the bases being 
flush. On being fired from the gun the fuse which extended inside 
the copper bullet would ignite, and if it would continue to burn 
until the explosive matter was reached, explosion would be the 
result. 

It is believed the Johnnies had the exclusive use of them — gifts 
from our friends, the British, brought to the rebels by blockade 
runners. 



ROSTER OF SURVIVING MEMBERS. 

July 1, 1908. 

Colonel, A. S. M. Morgan, Richland Lane, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Hospital Steward, Charles D. Schrieves. 

BAND AND MUSICIANS. 

Jacob Covert, Beaver Falls, Pa. 

Emanuel Evans, New Brighton, Pa. 

T. F. Johnston, New Brighton, Pa. 

Jacob M. Johnston, West Middlesex, Pa. 

George F. Lyman, Mt. Pleasant, O. 

Henry Noss, New Brighton, Pa. 

Lyman Priest, Sheridanville, Pa. 

William T. Priest, Edgeworth, Pa. 

George Stamm, National Military Home, Ohio. 

Ferd. A. Winter, Altoona, Pa. 

COMPANY A. 

Milton Barnett, National Military Home, Ohio. 
Robert H. Bates. 
W. W. Clelland, Oakmont, Pa. 
Aaron Cubbert. 

William Davidson, Morganza, Pa. 

Eli R. Dowler, 1129 N. Negley Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Frank Dunbar, Braddock, Pa. 
Jacob Fry, Tarentum, Pa. 
Thomas Haddon, Hope Church, Pa. 

George Hollenbeck, 4900 Sciota Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
George Hoerr, 15 Park Way, Allegheny, Pa. 
Abraham Heisley. 
Albert '0. Laufmann, Crafton, Pa. 
James P. Miles. 

Jesse Morris, 761 G Mulford Avenue, Pittsburgh. Pa. 
George Morrison, Waterford, Pa. 
William H. Morrow, Manor, Pa. 
James McAtee, Latrobe, Pa. 
Irwin McCutcheon, Connellsville, Pa. 
Daniel Oskins, Braddock, Pa. 
James L. Paul, Upland, Cal. 

James C. Quinter, 1106 Belmont Street, Wilkinsburg, Pa. 
Robert W. Scott, Monongahela, Pa. 

B. Frank Shafer, 900 Franklin Avenue, Wilkinsburg, Pa. 
Thomas M. Shannon, Company No. 1, National Military Home, 
Ohio. 

Samuel K. Shipley, Ohio Pyle, Pa. 
S. H. Stout. 

Harvey D. Thompson, Butler, Pa. 
Henry I. Tomer. 



472 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

John L. Ward, Grafton, Pa. 

L. A. West, Munhall, Pa. 

Johns A. Young, 317 Copp building, Los Angeles, Cal. 

COMPANY B. 

John Baird, Box 147, Sharpsburg, Pa. 

Robert C. Black, 5218 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

William T. Black, Harmarsville, Pa. 

Benjamin F. Butterfield, Bethesda, Md. 

George Cleland, Wilkinsburg, Pa. 

Joseph Clowes, Creighton, Pa. 

Anthony Collier, Sr., R. F. D. 59, Hoboken, Pa. 

Amos Coss, Harmarsville, Pa. 

William T. Coss, 208 Main Street, Tarentum, Pa. 

George Duncan, Martin's Ferry, O. 

George Duphorn, Tarentum, Pa. 

John Evans, Sharpsburg, Pa. 

Daniel Grubbs. 

Joseph Grubbs, Sharpsburg, Pa. 

John L. Hays. 

James Hines, DuBois, Pa. 

George F. House, 831 Washington Street, Braddock, Pa, 

Dr. J. C. Kennedy, 4833 Butler Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

William Lafever, Livermore, Pa. 

John B. Meyer, R. F. D. No. 2, Modena, Wis. 

Robert M. Morton, 102 9 W. Fifty-first Place, Chicago, 111. 

Matthew T. Murray. 

James McClarren, iieaver Falls, Pa. 

James McConnaha, R. F. D. No. 2, Tarentum, Pa. 

Edward E. McCorkle, R. F. D. No. 2, Sharpsburg, Pa. 

James McCutcheon, Ross, Pa. 

W. S. McCutcheon. 

Robert A. Nesbit, Irwin, Pa. 

Edward T. Saint, 5 5 44 Avondale Place, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

Hugh Smith, National Military Home, Ohio. 

John W. Smith. 

COMPANY C. 

Joseph B. Alexander, 1930 Carson Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

George A. Brown, Arnold City, Pa. 

Garrison Coale, 1052 Orange Street, Youngstown, O. 

Richard T. Davis. 

W. H. Fetter, New Brighton, Pa. 

Samuel Fridiger, New Brighton, Pa. 

G. D. Funkhouser, New Brighton, Pa. 

George W. Graham, Homewood, Pa. 

Henry Hamma, Carnegie, Pa. 

William Hamma, Greenock, Pa. 

Miles Hayden. 

David Kidde, McKeesport, Pa. 

R. B. McDanel, New Brighton, Pa. 

Joseph A. Nelson. Rochester, Pa. 

Benjamin F. Reed, Rich Street, Columbus, O. 

Frederick Rouse. 

Jacob Smith, National Military Home, Ohio. 



STORY OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 473 

Andrew Stidham, 1318 E. Eighth Street, Erie, Pa. 

John Stidham, 1310 E. Eighth Street, Erie, Pa. 

John Vogl.e, Webster, Pa. 

James S. Wilson, Beaver Falls, Pa. 

Thomas F. Wilson, 11 C Street, N. E., Washington, D. C. 

William P. Wilson, Monongahela, Pa. 

COMPANY D. 

Rudolph Z. Benzer, Winside, Nebraska. 
Albert Boley, National Military Home, Indiana. 
James Cain, 45 Greenbush Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Alexander J. Clark, National Military Home, Ohio. 
John Fagan, 3451 Ridge Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Robert Fowler, Craft Avenue, Crafton Terrace, Pa. 
Davis Glass, 64 Chatham Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
John Harvey, 621 Lincoln Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Robert McAdams, 60 Blackadore Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Elisha A. McAninch, 517 Natchez Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Robert D. McKee, Twenty-ninth and Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania. 

J. Henry Miller, National Military Home, Ohio. 

George Morrison, Waterford, Pa. 

Joseph Wickline, 3950 Mifflin Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

COMPANY E. 

George W. Allison, 158 N. Ray Street, New Castle, Pa. 

Samuel R. Baldwin, New Castle, Pa. 

James A. Clowes, 7049 Race Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

William Clowes, National Military Home, Indiana. 

Rev. Ralph H. Dawson. 

David Dunlap, Springdale, Pa. 

Isaac Edgar, Glenshaw, Pa. 

John Frayer, National Military Home, Hampton, Va. 

Earnest Frederick. 

Samuel A. Gray, Bedford, Mo. 

Robert Hare, R. F. D. No. 1, Emporia, Kansas. 

John G. Homyer, Etna, Pa. 

John S. Hunter, Etna, Pa. 

William Hutchman, Pawnee City, Neb. 

Alfred H. Jones, 2 60 Mathilda Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

Ebenezer Jones. 

George Laing. 

Jerome C. Lingle, Decatur, 111. 

William H. McGill, Sharpsburg, Pa. 

Kennedy McKee, Etna, Pa. 

William Pears, Topeka, Kan. • 

Thomas Powers, 1408 S. Duluth Avenue, Sioux Falls, S. Dakota. 

John G. Robinson, 409 Pacific Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

Joseph 0. Steiner, Aliquippa and Robinson Streets, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

Andrew G. Williams, Butler, Pa. 

William A. Williams, Fisk and Irvine Streets, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

John M. Yahres, Sharon, Pa. 

COMPANY F. 

Henry Beer, Fisher, Pa. 

William Campbell, Red Bank, Pa. 



474 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

Isaiah K. Dale. 

'Orlando Delp, Kane, Pa. 

William J. Dunlap, Clarion, Fa. 

George W. Fox, 1100 Chestnut Avenue, Minneapolis, Minn. 

Stewart A. Fulton, Bodie, Cal. 

Alpheus A. George, Fourth and Wilson Avenues, Oil City, Pa. 

John Gilford. 

Alexander Goble, Arthurs, Pa. 

Eliphas Highberger, Wichita, Kan. 

Benjamin P. Hilliard, Clarion, Pa. 

Michael Kempf, Scotch Hill, Pa. 

David S. Keiser. 

James Loudon, Red Bank, Pa. 

James McBride, Fisher, Pa. 

Jonathan McCurdy, Slate Lick, Pa. 

Hugh P. McKee, Curlsville, Pa. 

Jacob Mentzer, Hazen, Pa. 

John Newhouse, Howe, Pa. 

Peter Nugent, National Military Home, Ohio. 

Peter O'Neil, Lucinda, Pa. 

Adam Potter, Fisher, Pa. 

John G. Richards, Sebago Lake, Me. 

Samuel K. Richards, Lawton, Oklahoma. 

Andrew E. Russell, Natrona, Pa. 

James Sample, Worthington, Pa. 

David F. Sheets. 

David Shields, Shields, Pa. 

James Truby, New Kensington, Pa. 

William Wilkinson, Mariensville, Pa. 

COMPANY G. 

M. J. Adams, Franklin, Pa. 

Peter Boyer, Shelocta, Pa. 

J. C. Brookbank, National Military Home, Ohio. 

Robert M. Brown, Turtle Creek, Pa. 

W. L. Calhoun, Indiana, Pa. 

John Cessna, R. F. D. No. 2, Yatesboro, Pa. 

C. G. Cooper. 

John R. Cox, Shelocta, Pa. 

James D. Douglass, 1051 Peach Street, Rockford, 111. 

R. H. Daily, Saltshurg, Pa. 
,,S. C. Dewoody, Franklin, Pa. 
' Henry Frailey, Elderton, Pa. 

J. H. Fulton, R. F. D. No. 1, Saltsburg, Pa. 

A. W. Gilmore, Utica, Pa. 
W. H. Green, Hadley, Pa. 

Curtis C. Griffin, Apple Creek, Ohio. 
J. S. Gates, Cooperstown, Pa. 

B. W. Hull. 

Samuel S. Jack, Apollo, Pa. 
John F. Jones, Shelocta, Pa. 
James M. Johnston, Advance, Pa. 
Alfred B. Lupher. 

D. K. Mitchell. 

S. G. Moorhead, Georgeville, Pa. 
Charles Moore, Franklin, Pa. 



STORY OP THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT 475 

William R. Nicholson, 400 River Avenue, Esplen, Pittsburgh Pa 

John Pickle, R. F. D. No. 1, Shelocta, Pa. 

Noah W. Porter, Waterford, Pa. 

J. P. Rankin. 

I. L. Rearick, Locust Grove, Ohio. 

Samuel A. Rhoades, Norden, Neb. 

John A. Robinson, Route 1, Emlenton, Pa. 

Loben Russell, Shelocta, Pa. 

H. C. Stopp, Cochranton, Pa. 

Jacob Sadler, Davis, Pa. 

William M. Smith, Latrobe, Pa. 

John St. Clair, McNees, Pa. 

D. J. Thomas, Gastovv^n, Pa. 

J. M. Thomas, Gastown, Pa. 

William Thomas, Gastown, Pa. 

James S. Williams. 

COMPANY H. 

Hugh Hagan, Sheridanville, Pa. 

Thomas Kirk, 2 8 S. Twenty-seventh Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

John W. Lynn, 383 W. North Street, New Castle, Pa. 

William R. Martin, 1957 Irwin Avenue, Allegheny, Pa. 

Samuel E. Moore, 1713 Forbes Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

John Shields, West Pittsburgh or Turtle Creek, Pa. 

Samuel Wilson, Irwin, Pa. 

James Smith, 918 Locust Street, McKeesport, Pa. 

Newton Wilson, Arnold, Pa. 

COMPANY I. 
R. W. Clark, McKeesport, Pa. 
Milton S. Coyne, Corning, 0. 
Thaddeus F. Clymer, McKeesport, Pa. 
David C. Crawford, 102 9 C Street, Lincoln, Neb. 
Winfield S. Davis, 2 616 Main Street, McKeesport, Pa. 
William Dias. R. F. D. No. 2 8, Elizabeth, Pa. 
J. L. Evans, Seville, Brighton Road, Allegheny, Pa. 
C. C. Fawcett, 1043 Fawcett Avenue, McKeesport, Pa. 
William Ford, Braddock, Pa. 

Alex. D. Foster, 905 Fifth Avenue, McKeesport, Pa. 
Peter Gallitan. 

John M. Gamble, Eustis, Florida. 
W. P. Gilbert. 

John H. Hoffman, 108 Third Street, Louisville, Ky. 
Thomas L. Hunter, 218 Ninth Avenue, McKeesport, Pa. 
Daniel P. Mclntire, 1414 Western Avenue, Allegheny, Pa. 
Luther McMains, Carmichels, Pa. 

James F. McMullen, 416 Todd Street, Wilkinsburg, Pa. 
W. C. Orris, Elkins, W. Va. 
William Packer, Ligonier, Pa. 
Joel L. Painter, McKeesport, Pa. 
Peter Ray. 

Randolph Reynolds, McKeesport, Pa* 
P. M. Taylor. 

William Wigham, California, Pa. 
Theo. C. Walker, Duquesne, Pa. 
Joseph Walthour, Versailles, Pa. 
Archie Watson, McKeesport, Pa. 
Alexander Wiper, Dexter City, Ohio. 



476 UNDER THE RED PATCH 

James Wiper, Malta, Ohio. 

Robert Wiper, Foreman, N. Dakota. 

COMPANY K. 

Reuben Bearce, Sheakleyville, Pa. 

Thomas Bell, Sharon, Pa. 

Robert R. Beatty, care Wm. Workman, New Alexandria, Pa. 

Luther L. Calkins, 407 Davis Street, Findlay, 0. 

George B. Chalmers, U. S. Custom Warehouse, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

James Davis. 

Samuel Dunham, Sharpsville, Pa. 

Patrick Delaney, Hoytdale, Pa. 

Robert Ferguson, Keepville, Pa. 

George W. Fitzgerald, Benwood, W. Va. 

Nathan P. Hoffman, Napa, Cal. 

John F. Linn, Farnham, O. 

James McKiley, National Military Home, Ohio. 

William McCleary. 

David L. McQuiston. 

Robert Orr, Mercer, Pa. 

Fred Patterson, 35 A Street, Sharon, Pa. 

James Perkins, 87 Compromise Street, Allegheny, Pa. 

J. J. Pierce, Sharpsville, Pa. 

Walter J. Reed, North Yakima, Wash. 

Samuel C. Rust, Washington, Kansas. 

Thomas Scully, Leetonia, O. 

William H. Shaner, Sharpsville, Pa. 

Samuel Stambaugh, Chattanooga, Tenn. 

Russell Weller, Jackson Center, Pa. 

Total living 273 

Address unknown 35 

Known address 238 



BULLY FOR YOU. 

As played by the Drum Corps of the Sixty-Third Regiment, P. V. 

Arranged by James S. Gray. 



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To Mrs. AGNES HAVS GORMLY, 

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third. In thick - est fight shone scar - let bright In the 

third, For cards and dice, they were not nice With the 

third, We'd nev - er think of taking a drink In the 

third. Were won-drous quick with shovel and pick In 

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In the glori - ous days we marched with Hays In the bul - ly old Six - ty- 

In the grand old days we fol - lowed Hays In the bul - ly old Six - ty- 

And rath - er die than tell a lie Would the bul - ly old Six - ty- 

With all our might put it out of sight In the bul - ly old Six - ty- 

And when 'twas o'er we'd hcwl for more In the bul - ly old Six - ty- 

No grum-bling word was ev - er heard In the bul - ly old Six - ty- 

How in fight to rush or "le'p t'the bush'' In the bul - ly old Six - ty- 

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